Growing Up

When our daughter was about four years old, she would often put her little hands up to cover her eyes and say, “You can’t see me, mom.”

For forty-three years I lived without knowing Jesus, and as I look back now, I realise that, for the majority of my life, I was much like my daughter at four. Because I couldn’t see God, I assumed two things; that He couldn’t see me, and that, maybe, He didn’t exist.

As a child, we didn’t expect our daughter to understand things as an adult, because she wasn’t one. We had to help her to grow and mature, and year-by-year, she began to put away the childish things. Now, as a mature godly woman, she no longer thinks or reasons like a child. There is, however, a joyful child-likeness to her that allows her to sometimes skip through a room, talk in funny voices, or make people laugh, as she teaches truths about the Kingdom of God.

When my husband and I came through the doors of Ellel Ministries for a healing retreat in 2008, I had no idea how to be child-like in my life or faith. I clearly see now, however, that many of my behaviours and attitudes were very immature and childish and in need of the guidance of more mature believers to help me see truth and come into reality.

We were welcomed with unconditional love and grace by the Ellel Ministries team and taught many foundational principles about the Kingdom of God. Then, with their guidance, we were positioned through true repentance and sincere forgiveness for Jesus to come and heal some of the wounds and brokenness that were feeding the childish behaviour that was tearing apart our marriage and family.

As the healing began to flow, we were able to choose to put away the childish thoughts, attitudes and behaviours and learn how to mature in Christ. Over the years, Jesus has continued to dig deeply into the foundations of our lives and marriage to heal, love and bring freedom in ways that we could never have imagined or even thought to ask.
Tears of gratitude are often present today when we look back and testify about the restoration of our marriage and family day-by-day, month-by-month and year-by-year.

I’m happy to report that, on occasion, I can now skip through a room with a laugh on my lips. Coming to Jesus like a child is an intentional journey of humility, wonder, reality and faith. It rewards those who come to Him with a growing joy which can only be found in God. ‘Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning’ (Psalm 30:5b).

Prayer: Father God, will You reveal to me today any childish ways that could be hindering my healing journey with You and affecting the relationships around me. I would love to be child-like, and to experience the joy that I read about so often in Your word. Amen.