"Still Growing"

Day #13 - 'A Woman of Faith' Devotional
Verse: "When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I grew up, I put away childish things." 1 Corinthians 13:11 NLT

Thank the Lord we are ALL still growing, no matter how young or 'old' we are! We are growing physically and spiritually, inside & out. Growth and change is an exciting thing, yet we sometimes fear it, or wish it to come too soon... or wish we could go back. With growth comes wisdom & knowledge. All of the knowledge we need, and all of the wisdom we need comes from the Father. Knowledge is gained by being taught or by reading about a subject of some kind -- it's basically 'head-knowledge'. Wisdom however is gained by doing, by the experiences we have. We learn most from trial and error. Wisdom is gained from the Father, from His Word, and it has moved from just being 'head-knowledge' to 'heart-knowledge' as well. 

As an Early Childhood Educator, it is part of my job to teach and train the children in my care in doing basic activities. I can teach and read books to the children regarding the things they are to do, but they best learn when they experience it for themselves. We need to show them, and then be an example of what they need to do. They need to 'try' for themselves too. When they TRY things out, they learn from failures and successes. But we cannot always discourage them for their failures, for that is how they learn. (We also cannot let ourselves get frustrated in their failures, or blaming ourselves or our teaching skills for their failure -- something I am still 'growing in' myself.) We may have to discipline in some 'failure' attempts, as bad choices also are a part of 'failures'.

God is our BEST teacher, and He also leads by example. He sent Jesus as the best example to follow... the one we should base our lives upon -- our cornerstone. (for more info on 'cornerstone' you can read the 'His Strength' devotional here.) The devotional books quotes, "Knowledge is an important building block in a well-lived life, and it pays rich dividends both personally and professionally. But wisdom is even more important because it refashions not only our minds, but also our hearts." ('A Woman of Faith' Devotional. Day 13. ©2007 Freeman-Smith, LLC. Nashville, TN. 37202) God wants us to keep growing spiritually and mentally, as we live our lives. "No matter how 'grown up' you may be, you still have growing to do. And the more you grow, the more beautiful you become, inside and out." ('A Woman of Faith' Devotional. Day 13. ©2007 Freeman-Smith, LLC. Nashville, TN. 37202)

As in physical growth, spiritual and mental growth takes TIME... time in prayer, time in His Word, time to learn, time in fellowship, time in worship, time sitting at the feet of Jesus. "Growing in any area of the Christian life takes time, and the key is daily sitting at the feet of Jesus." (Cynthia Heald)

So thankfully, I am still growing, and hopefully you are too. With daily watering from God's rain and from the shine from his Son we can grow into the person that God has created us to be.

Be blessed and be a blessing!