We grow gradually in degrees; always reach for the next level

(From my original Blogspot)vel

I sometimes stop and wonder about human growth. I believe that in the early years of childhood, growth is so obvious because of the dramatic elements attained: the ability to walk, talk, reason, earn money, understand subtle humor, etc. But the rest of our live we are also growing; many times on the inside where nobody can see.

I wonder how God puts up with his children at so many levels of growth, and yet still extends to each, equally, his love and understanding. But I know he can, because I've felt his love; weather as a fibbing teen or an inexperienced child, I've always known I was alright with Him. And within that love I feel Him always gently nudging me to move to the next step, which at times can feel like dissonance. Being satisfied and complacent in our lives is not acceptable to Him.

If each of us were a number walking around on the planet, I believe that God would only want one thing of us: that would be to simply add one to whatever we were. Say I was a three. God would be gently nudging me to become a four. Someone else might be 96, and God can help that person see the possibilities of being 97. I don't mean numbers in terms of age. I mean them symbolically as we grow and develop, at a sustainable pace, in a linear fashion.

The number 3 cannot even imagine what it would feel like to be a 96, and he shouldn't be expected to. God wouldn't require that. The 3 should be striving to be a 4; eventually to be a 5, a 6, and so on. Ninety-six needn't worry why the 3 is so small and insignificant; he won't stay that way for long. Patience, and bit by bit, all small things grow. Even the number 3,465 is looking forward to becoming 3,466....