Experiencing Our Extraordinary God in Our Ordinary Lives

God is the Perfect Parent

When our daughter was ready to walk, I was excited for this new development. I remember standing her up against the wall, getting down on her level, and encouraging her to walk to me. She stood there for a while, and I could tell she wanted to come to me but wasn’t quite sure how to do it. She wobbled a bit, took a first step, and then fell down. I rushed to her, picked her up, hugged her, and said, “Let’s try again.” We did that many times until one day she took two steps, then three steps before falling down.
Next she began to take steps holding onto my hand or the coffee table. It was exciting as she began to walk with help and then toddled on her own.
Babies aren’t born walking. They scoot on their tummies and then crawl and then, with much practice, they walk.
My walk with God has been like that. Each time I have taken a few steps and fallen down He has picked me up and lovingly let me try again. I have learned it is all part of a process. I want to live my life according to God’s purposes, but I fail so many times. I don’t hear words of condemnation; I hear words of forgiveness, mercy, and encouragement that allow me to try again. Each time I get closer to walking in God’s ways, I know it pleases Him—just as I was pleased when my daughter was able to walk to me. God doesn’t really ask me to do things perfectly; He asks me to try. He looks at my heart, and like the most caring, loving parent, He knows that His child is learning how to walk in His ways and is pleased with my effort.

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. (Colossians 1:9–12)

Reflection:
• Take a moment and talk to your heavenly Father about the times you believe you failed. Let Him speak words of love and encouragement to you.