“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 NIV
Returning home from a college visit with our daughter, I reflected on just who this young lady is. Creative, intelligent, thoughtful, and spiritual all immediately come to mind.
The day of her birth and many memories of ‘firsts’ flooded my thoughts: first steps, first art class, first dance class, first day of school, and first solo drive.
Before me today is a sweet, mature, hilariously funny, and very gifted young woman. I look at her and so appreciate God’s grace and goodness. I am so proud of who she is and am so excited to see what God has for her future.
Her time living at home with us will come to an end in just two short years. Yet I stand amazed at all she has learned and how she has grown in all ways over her time with us.
Does God experience that same pleasure when He looks at me?
Keeping in mind my many faults and shortcomings, does He count my progress and smile adoringly?
When at the end of my life on earth, will He say, “Well done, good and faithful servant?” Will He look back over my life finding consistent growth in faith and character development?
Will He be able to identify major “first” milestones that became everyday practice: surrendering my day to His plans, trusting Him with the most heart-wrenching of scenarios, and making it a practice to try to live a godly life?
Will He be proud of both my efforts to do what’s right and to faithfully turn to Him as I grew in faith?
Will He excitedly welcome me into heaven, watching to see my reaction to the eternity He has planned for me?
I sincerely hope so! Just as a child’s time at home may seem like forever in certain moments, it really is fleeting – like our time on this earth. Our days here are numbered. What will God’s reaction to me be at the end of my earthly time?
Reflections:
Over my Christian walk, how has my faith grown?
What evidence of that growth can I identify?
How can I keep growing and draw closer to Him?
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, May I daily grow more into the person You envisioned when You knit me together in my mother’s womb. Please provide the faith and qualities I need to grow into that person. Thank You for always providing what I need. Thank You for always loving me, even through all my faults.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thanks for reading! Please return by Monday, June 22, 2015 for the next post.
Loved it. I am amazed at how much my little girl has taught me about Jesus. Like you I look at her and wonder does God, my Father, look at me with such pride and admiration. Do I make Him proud? Does He think I am turning into a Godly woman? Thanks for this wonderful post.
Thank you for your encouragement! I so blessed to have my girls, and so blessed God has used them to teach me about Him.
You have a blessed week! ?