How Do You Like Me Now?
To have been raised in a conservative, Christian home is a blessing to those so fortunate. I mean the kind of home where people love one another and God above all. The type of home that strives to teach eternal principles above rat-race maneuvers. There ought to be a time in life when a person does not have to face the cruelty of our world and the onslaught of temptation. These things will come soon enough or, properly, too soon. It has been said that, barring significant trauma, the most carefree and enjoyable time of life is from around age seven to twelve. Everyone needs a shelter at some point in life. If they don’t receive it in childhood, they may miss it entirely.
A Christian home can be solace and sanctuary. Many hard years frame the typical life. It doesn’t much matter whether that life is lived in belief or unbelief. Living is hard and learning is hard. The Christian home can provide a solid, secure basis for future endeavors, but a Christian home will not do everything. Most of life is lived beyond childhood, and we all have to face the wild world someday. One of the heartbreaking realizations of youth is that they are not fully formed when they begin the pro game. This is as true of those from backgrounds where preparation was earnestly sought as it is of those to which forethought was an afterthought. We step onto the main stage with miles to go.
Even those with a good start are not complete. Physical, spiritual and emotional growth is not optional in life. Young people typically hold strong opinions because they have not confronted their own fallibility, but that confrontation comes mighty fast in the real world. The faith of a child is more pure, but the seasoned faith of an adult is more complete. The necessary transition from being sheltered to shell-shocked is dramatic for all and devastating for some. In the truest sense, we are all works in progress. Completion is desired, but perfection is unattainable. We should avoid despair over our shortcomings but shun uninformed presumption. Sometimes, I long for the days of inexperience.
While we grow and change, hopefully, there is some design in sight. A hospital in the midst of renovations posted signs reading “Progress as Planned.” Moving towards completion does not imply that our current state is necessarily bad if we are, indeed, going somewhere. God has a plan for us, and we should have goals for ourselves. Since God is patient with us, we need to extend that same type of patience to others. While so doing, give yourself a little wiggle room without making excuses. Remember, anticipation breeds frustration, but a pilgrim should get a little credit for his progress. It may be that others see changes of which you are unaware. It’s easy to be hard on yourself.
I am humbled (read ashamed) sometimes when I view my progress through the glass of God’s goodness and grace. Truthfully, I should be farther along the road of Christian maturity. There have been triumphs, though, amid the toil. The me you see is not what I was or what I will be. I am headed somewhere. God has seen me try, and I am His child. Above all, I am grateful for patience and guidance from the Sovereign. Next time you see me, I will have changed. Hopefully, this will remain a life pattern for me for the good. When I was young, I did not realize how many changes I would have to make to be fully formed. One day, you will like what you see, and the mirror will not add or detract.
Sterl
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