I looked at him, standing with his baseball helmet on. Suddenly, a flashback from when he was just learning how to play the game, came into my head like a cherished photo. I wasn’t looking at that young man just then, I saw that little boy, with that cheesy grin on his face. Yet, there He was grown, still smiling at his favorite game, and I felt the tears begin to well in my eyes. Nostalgia came upon me so unexpectedly. I sure love watching who he is becoming; though admittingly at times, missing his littleness too. Though, there is a sense of joy in raising a child and seeing them flourish as God has designed. The kind of joy that fills our heart from the goodness that surrounds it. I guess it’s just the way that we love our children. Holding tight to all the stages and smiling when we watch them grow just as God has intended for them. I am sure God smiles as he watches us grow and flourish when we do so in His goodness and His design. Friend, raising children is an adventure. Even through the hard parts, it is still an incredibly wonderful one. Just as we love watching our children grow, I imagine God loves to watch us grow in faith and in His design for our lives. My son played a great game today. Though more than that, he filled my heart with joy on the way he had grown on the field and in character. He still has room to grow, as we all do. Although in the process or growing, I hope I am making my Father in heaven happy with who I am becoming. I hope we all are.

Erin Fitts-Brower 

Growing in His design

Colossians 2:6-7 NIV

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

2 Peter 3:18 NIV

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.