Recently we vacationed in the same house as last year. Our vacation had been such a fun and memorable time, we all longed to return. Our desire was to get away from the stresses of the last several months, to step away from it all, and relax. And so we did.
We had another wonderful week. As the days passed and new memories were being forged, we remembered the memories of the previous summer.
My daughter-in-law is quite good at pulling up photos of our littlest granddaughter exactly one year apart to the date. The difference in both Eliza’s appearance and growth is often amazing.
The transformation which happened had occurred over the passing of time and was both evident, and often unseen, all at the same time.
It’s like that in our spiritual lives as well …
I believe God loves us just as we am today, even though we are not yet all we are to be. He knows us from the inside out – our fears, insecurities, and imperfections – and tenderly works in our lives each day to make us more like the image of His Son.
“The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.”
(Psalm 103:13-14, NLT)
He knows the process can be slow at times, tedious even, as He teaches the same lesson over and over. But He has compassion on us and tenderly brings correction and stands us back up again when we fall.
He whispers words of encouragement into our hearts and patiently waits for us to grasp His ways and walk a little bit further. He is committed to our growth, and our well-being, knowing it is a process which continues throughout our lives.
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians 1:6, NLT)
Paul’s joy stemmed from the confident knowledge that God would continue His good work in his life; and we also should take joy and find reason each day to praise God for His continual care and work in our lives.
The Lord is like a father, tender and compassionate,
committed to our growth.
Today I am joining …
There is nothing like revisiting a favorite place to bring back happy memories. I’m glad you and your family could go back to a cherished vacation home again this crazy summer!
You bring up a good point, Joanne. During our day to day lives, we can’t see the changes happening. It’s only when we look back that we can see the growth. God, however, has loved us all along and gently gives us lessons (if we pay attention) on how to become the person he wants us to be.
Philippians 1:6 is something I pray often for my children. What a blessing God’s patience is, and the fact that He sees us not just as we are, but what we will be down the road by His grace.
That part of Psalm 103 that talks about God being like a father to His children is one of my favorite scriptures, Joanne. I’ve got so much room for improvement and growth, but don’t you just love it when God gives you a glimpse of the growth that has occurred in your life … like when you realize that a year or two ago, you might have reacted very differently to something but today you handled it much better? I’m so glad you were able to get away for a bit …