Today’s Daily Bread ~ Learning to walk…

1 Peter 1:14 – Obey God because you are His children.  Don’t slip back into your old ways of doing evil; you didn’t know any better then.

We’ve crossed a mile marker at my house over the past four or five months.  My kids can now play together.  That might sound trivial, or non-eventful, but I assure you, it’s huge.  Just the other day, as I was wading through a stack of things to do, Caitlyn asked me if I could play Hungry, Hungry Hippos with her.  I actually like that game, and promised her that, if she could give me twenty minutes or so, I’d be all hers.  Cue the whining.  “Mo-oom!  I want to play no-ow-wah (kids have an amazing ability to turn a one syllable word like “now” into a three – it’s remarkable)!”  I might’ve caved, but I really did have things that couldn’t wait.  “Nicky, honey?  Want to play Hungry, Hungry Hippos with Caitlyn?”  Problem solved.

The two forgot about me, and played their game for almost half an hour without fighting.  I should mention, by the way, that the game belongs to Nick. 

After they were finished, he went over and picked up a different toy that belongs to Caitlyn.  “MINE,” she shrieked at the top of her lungs.  “NICKY!  THAT’S MINE!!” 

“Whoa,” I said, as I walked into the room.  “What’s going on here?” 

“Nicky’s playing with my computer!”  I’d also like to mention that said computer had sat in that very spot for at least a week or two, untouched.

“Caitlyn, Nick shared his Hungry, Hungry Hippos game with you.  I think you can share your computer with him.”  We went back and forth on this for a bit, but she did agree to share.  Sort of.  “OKAY,” she yelled, most uncharitably.  “Nicky can play with it!”  Exit Caitlyn stage right, as she stomps off to cry.  Ironically (or not), the moment she walked out, Nick lost interest in the computer and moved on to something else.

I could’ve chastised Caitlyn about the importance of giving (or sharing) cheerfully.  But I figured one lesson at a time was enough for my four year old.  I decided to simply appreciate the fact that she was trying.  And I think we can take some comfort in knowing that our Heavenly Father handles us the same way.

Just like I’m training my children to be kind to each other, God is training us to be holy.  1 Peter 1:15-16 – But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God – who chose you to be His children – is holy. For He himself has said, “You must be holy because I am holy.”  And so many Christians get frustrated trying to achieve this.  But you have to go deeper in, or you will get caught up in a works-based faith, constantly trying by your own power to be holy and sanctified, and getting discouraged when you fail.  And you will fail.

What is it that makes us right in God’s sight?  “For we are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins.  And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.  For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:22-23).”

All we have to do to be made holy and perfect is to believe that Jesus died for our sins and rose again, trust Him to take our sins away, and call on the Holy Spirit to empower us to live in victory.  Don’t beat yourself up when you stumble…and notice that I said when you stumble, not if.  We are all sinners, and we will all continue to sin.  But we are empowered through the Holy Spirit to break free from habitual, intentional sin.  And as we grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ, it will get easier and easier to confess and repent.

Like it was yesterday, I remember watching my children learn to walk.  Those first timid, wobbly steps are so precious.  Do we get angry when our babies fall down?  No…we celebrate their effort!  We cheer them on and help them up.  How much more then, is our Heavenly Father applauding our efforts to be holy and perfect in His sight?  Our sin doesn’t surprise Him…just like we aren’t surprised when a toddler wavers back and forth before falling down onto his diaper cushioned rear.  And just like we pick our children back up and help them forward, so God picks us up, wipes away our tears, and cheers us on as we continue.  He loves us so very, very much.  Enough to shed the blood of His precious child, Jesus Christ.

Dear Heavenly Father, You are perfect.  Holy is Your Name, O God.  How is it that You love us so much?  How is it that You are so gracious and merciful?  You are so patient with us, Father, and we thank You!  Lord, please help us along on our journey.  Please gently guide us back to the path when we wander off.  I pray that You would release us from guilt and shame when we sincerely repent.  I pray that You would empower us with the Holy Spirit to get rid of our habitual and intentional sin.  Nudge us to get help when we need it.  Strengthen and heal us so that we may be a blessing to others.  We love You so much, God, and we ask these things in the beautiful name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.