Growing

As children grow older, they search out ways to increase their maturity, often seeking to make their own mistakes or their own accomplishments. Parents cooperate by giving them more opportunities to make their own decisions, and often must restrain themselves from intervening when they sense a failure is coming. This is the way in which we all grow wiser, more confident and stronger. The same is often true in our Christian lives, as God smiles at us and watches us grow.

Today I know God smiled at me, and eventually I smiled at myself,
but it took me a while to see the humor and put my pride on a shelf.
I started my day with an earnest prayer and sincere desire to grow;
I realized so many shortcomings - so many things I wanted to know.
I asked the Lord to strengthen me, that I might be more as I should,
and I had faith that with God's help, grow indeed, I would!
Well, shortly after I arrived at work, things began to go wrong,
and the hopes I had of having a good day didn't last very long.
I ran up against some tough personalities - my temper, I admit was tried,
but I managed to keep a steady voice, although I was shaking inside.
It seemed that I needed to be in fifteen places all at the very same instant.
I only wanted a calm reprieve, but everything went against it.
I almost cried; I almost screamed; I almost threw up my hands in despair,
but eventually the work day was over, and I could forget about my cares.
At home I reflected on the events of the day and suddenly remembered my request.
Why had the day been so disappointing, when I had wanted to give it my best?
The reason was made quite clear to me, as I thought a little longer --
only through meeting with resistance is any muscle made stronger.
I had asked my Lord to give me strength, and I had met obstacles along the way.
I suppose these are the little ways in which we grow...
Yes, I know God smiled at me today!

"...but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulations worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope." Romans 5:3 & 4