Yesterday morning, my sweet baby, Mackenzie woke up a bit cranky. She was crying out for me, no happy chattering – she sounded very tired. It was the culmination of a long and busy weekend for us and I had not spent significant time with her.
When I picked her up, I looked in her face and saw a different girl. She had changed. As her mommy, I noticed it right away. Her eyes were ever so slightly darker -and it seemed like her cheekbones were higher and stronger, elongating her face just a tiny bit. The outcome – a bit less baby, a bit more little girl.
I know she can’t be a baby forever, but still, I was heartbroken for a moment. The reality is, my children are growing and changing and truly it is a miracle. Its a gift from the Heavenly Father for me, their mama to watch it all transpire. He must know what a joy it is to watch His own children grow.
This afternoon I’ve taken a few moments to contemplate this…
I know that He sees all; that He knows everything and that He is present at all times. So does He see? Does He take note of my progress? Is it obvious to Him that my heart is changing into one of a mature believer? My heart’s desire is to bear His image. But sometimes it feels like an impossible task. When I wake up in the morning, calling out to Him, do I look different? Or do I still have my baby face?
The truth is: I don’t know. I mean, sometimes my heart is so deceived that I think my actions are sincere when they really aren’t. Often I attempt to do things by His power, but end up snatching the task back and doing it on my own. Is there any remedy for my sinful heart? Will I ever be more like my Heavenly Father?
While I can’t predict the exact future of how it will all take place, I do know the answer. It is a resounding YES! There are so many Scriptures of promise regarding my struggle, I can be sure that He is not indifferent to my insecurity.
Ps 92 1-3 It is good to praise the LORD
and make music to your name, O Most High,
proclaiming your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night,
2 Cor. 3:18And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Phil. 1:5-7 … being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Phil. 2:13 … for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
And that’s just the beginning… Verse after verse confirms : He is a loving and faithful God, who gave us His Holy Spirit in order to conform us into His image, a glorious and spotless being – and He promises to finish what He has begun.
Heavenly Father – Thank you for continuing the work in my heart. It is so comforting to know that You love me and have no plans to give up on me any time soon. I can live with confidence knowing that someday this baby face of mine will be transformed and I will be made into Your likeness. What a glorious day that will be for all who believe!
amen.
md
daily portion 