Reflections of a child of God

When we think about the birth of a child, we get a sense of pure amazing love that fills us up as we look into the precious face of our little one. We find it pure joy to watch them as they grow and learn. They begin to coo and smile, then comes laughter and interactions. We watch in anticipation as they begin to crawl and then walk and start to talk. Each milestone is exciting and we document it with pictures and videos. We can’t help ourselves in sharing it all with the people in our lives. As they become more independent they begin to make their own choices, be they good or bad. We set boundaries and teach them right from wrong in hopes that they will make “good choices” as they continue to grow and learn. We discipline them to cause them to think about the choices they make. Sometimes they learn and other times they do what they want to do regardless of the consequences. We try to spare them the same mistakes we have made with our own lives. But ultimately, it is a choice that each of us has to make for ourselves.

Such is the love of our Father in heaven. He looks upon his children in our infancy with a love which is steadfast and enduring. He finds it pure joy to watch us as we grow in faith and in his spirit. He smiles as we begin to interact with him. He watches with anticipation as we take steps toward him and learn from his word. In each milestone, he takes us to another level of faith. He allows us to make our own choices, be they good or bad. He also lets us suffer the consequences to teach us right from wrong. He wants us to let him lead us through his holy spirit so we will hold on to the hope he has promised. We each have a choice to let him lead us. When we accept him into our lives, we become his precious children. We as children then feel a need to share his love with everyone, just as he commands it.

Hosea 14:4 The LORD says, “Then I will heal you of your faithlessness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever.”

In reflecting on this amazing truth, I recall how I was rebellious in my youth and I made a lot of bad choices. In The same way, parents sometimes must endure the choices of their children, God let me make those wrong choices and learn from them. And even though it hurt God to watch me make them, when I asked for his forgiveness, God embraced me with His eternal love and has forgiven me. I have to admit that I don’t always surrender to His will but through his Holy Spirit, He is teaching me how to surrender more and more. I know he will never leave me and nothing can separate me from his love. He has given me peace and hope for the future. I want others to know what I know. God loves us and wants to have a relationship with us. He is waiting at the door. Will you let your Father come in and embrace you? It’s really very simple, “just open the door”! He will do the rest!

Romans 8:14-17 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “ Abba! Father!”

Karen Ingram