Taking steps

There's something so beautifully fulfilling and equally frustrating in raising a child. Some moments I don't even know what to do as a parent and others I sit in amazement with how such a little human can do so much. Growth is a fascinating thing to watch. I've seen many people grow up in my life but watching my son grow is a whole new experience. In less than two years he's learned to move his head, eat, crawl, walk, run and say words like "truck, yup, dadda, momma, this and that" and signs like "milk, more, eat, and all done" I never thought such small things would mean so much to me but they do. I watch him being fascinated with trucks and whenever he sees one in a book or on the street he goes "vroom vroom!" It excites me, it makes me happy.

I often sit back and wonder if that's how God sees us. Such little things to us might seem amazing to him. Learning to pray for instance might seem silly to a seasoned Christian but to God might mean the world because it's a step and steps are important. It might be equally upsetting to Him to see us take a step back for instance as I see my son cry every time we try to go grocery shopping - I know he can handle it but he does not. 

God knows what we can handle and sometimes we do not. He knows that prayers don't need to be extravagant; he'd be happy for us to acknowledge him. Just like we're happy when our children say momma and dadda for the first time. Joey lately only likes to say dadda but I know in the future he'll resume his momma words. I do that often with God, I know he's around so I neglect his name but just like myself it's nice to hear it from people I love. Names are important and Gods is the most important.

I guess I write this to say that God is amazed with us taking steps forward and while it may hurt to see us take a step back He will gladly watch us pick up our feet and move forward again even if they're baby steps. 

 “Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”

Matthew 6:9

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”

Proverbs 18:10

“and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 18:3-4 ESV

* side note: I'm sorry if this didn't apply to you. This is just where I am in my life and how a God is teaching me. I remember reading things like this before kids and it didn't apply as much as other reads.

And here's some bonus pics for your enjoyment of my little man.