"Well, Mother, I'm not a child anymore!" one of my teenagers said with exasperation.
"You'll have to do more than talk about it to make me believe it," I said, as I wiped across her bedroom dresser and watched the dust curl. A few minutes before I had ordered: "Now clean your room right." By that I meant: Put away the several pairs of shoes lying about; dust the furniture and floor; shake the rug. Later, when I inspected her room, I knew (by the dust curls) she had not followed my instructions.
There are certain criteria a mother uses in judging whether her child is growing up. Does she accept responsibility willingly -- without forever being told what to do? When it is mealtime does she set the table without being reminded that it is her task? Does she make her bed in the morning? Care for her clothes? Do a thorough job of her assigned tasks? Or, does she give half-hearted service? Does she work cheerfully without constant complaining?
What about us, Christians? Are we making progress spiritually? How mature are we? Are our thoughts and words filled with complaints? Faultfinding? Ungratefulness? Or, do we serve God with glad and willing hearts? Are we going deeper with God? Are we climbing in the School of Wisdom? Are we "growing up?"
Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.
But grow in grace,
and in the knowledge of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ.
To him be glory both
now and for ever. Amen.
2 Peter 3:18
