Like A Child
“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known..” 1 Corinthians 13:11-12
When I was just a “daddy”, things were different. I was younger then. I could move better, I had more energy, and I could keep up with our children. But being a “grandpa” is different. Yes, I still play with our grandchildren. We wrestle on the floor a bit, I play catch and shoot hoops, and I even climb up the ladder and ride the slide on occasion. Just not as much as before. I’m finding that board games and quiet conversations are more my style these days. Wii Bowling is my speed. Honestly, when we get together as a family, I find myself just sitting back and taking it all in . . . just watching the grandchildren play and pretend.
It’s a wonderful pastime watching our identical twin granddaughters play together. What a unique relationship they have! And when the water toys come out and the inflatable swimming pool is filled, it’s hilarious to watch the kids take turns jumping over the pool’s edge and land with a splash. I love hearing the kids sing and laugh as they swing on the backyard swing set and chatter as they play with the Barbies or whoop as they play air hockey. And it’s fun to watch them change as the years go by.
Recently, Lisa and I have noticed how “grown up” our older grandchildren are becoming. They grow up so quickly. The conversations are becoming more adult, the questions deeper, and the interests more mature. I watch our youngest grandson, about 18 months old, and then look at our oldest who is now 11 years old and I remember when the oldest was 18 months old. What a difference! At 18 months, communication consisted of one or two word statements. I remember him “helping” me with building projects and crawling up into my lap to read a story at bedtime. Now, at 11 years old, we sit side by side and the conversations trend toward things like learning to drive, sporting events, school, and chats about the deeper things of life. We even have text conversations when we aren’t together. Oh, how quickly they grow up! It’s the way things are. In fact, it’s God’s design for all of us . . . that we grow up!
That fact is also true in our walk with God. As we grow older, God’s desire is that we grow up in our relationship with Him. Yes, He does desire that we have a “childlike” faith, trusting in and relying upon God, our heavenly Father, as completely as an infant trusts in and relies upon its parents. But as a child grows from drinking milk to eating solid food, so God’s will is that we grow deeper in our faith. His will is for us to – as the song goes – see Him more clearly, love Him more dearly, and follow Him more nearly. This isn’t for His benefit. Rather, it’s in our best interest. And He wants what’s best for us! All of us!
I thank God for His gifts – His Word and His Sacraments. As we hear His word, remember our Baptism, and come to the Lord’s Supper, God comes to us and speaks His forgiveness and love into our lives! As we gather together to worship, He surrounds us with fellow believers that support us, pray for us, and challenge us. As we pray, we draw nearer to God, pouring out our hearts to Him, depending upon Him for the listening ear and help He promises.
I’ve been thinking. Yes, I’m a grandpa now. I trust my faith is more mature than it was when I was younger. But I know this for sure; I still have some more growing up to do. As Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, “now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” On this side of heaven’s gates, I will never arrive. I will never fully grow up in Him. But one day, when Christ returns, I will be made whole. Then, I will fully understand the goodness of God and what a perfect relationship with Him looks like! Oh, what a wonderful day that will be!!
Until then, even though I only know these things in part, God knows me. And that’s enough!
In HIM! Pastor Tim
