MIST-TERY

When my home was first built, more than forty years ago, this tree was barely thigh-high when planted. I'm not good as guessing heights, but I think it's more than twenty feet tall. It commands a corner of the front lawn. No, I don't string lights on it at Christmas, but it's “evergreen-ness” is a regular reminder of God's amazing plan for plant life. This tree quietly sheds some needles, but just across the fence, my neighbor's willow generously drops its autumn-yellowed covering. (You can see some of its branches just to the right.), Leaf-fall and fall-mist seem to be constant cousins, painting their own canvas of a land settling in for winter's chilling pause.

I recently came across this quote: “The past is history, the future is a mystery, the present is a gift. Every day is a gift—that's why it's called a present.” For those of us who live in cooler climates (with the vivid change of seasons), the cycle of winter-spring-summer-fall brings vivid reminders of a Divine plan even for earth's weather. A season to grow. A season to rest. A reason to awaken and grow again.

My three grandsons were here the other night for dinner. I'd already wrapped their Christmas gifts, which sat in a pile in the living room. Oh, they noticed those! Snicker, snicker, pinch, pinch. They've probably figured out the contents—the typical Grandma-sewn pajamas, now a holiday tradition. Last year they begged to open their gifts after the Christmas eve service, and promptly, one-by-one, dashed into the bathroom to change from “regular clothes” to their new Pj's.

The next morning, they would tear into the “stash” under their family's Christmas tree, including kits of all those little snap-together plastic blocks. You know the ones—their name starts with the letter “L.” Their current “cache” (a full storage bin) isn't enough to their little minds. There's always the “new kit” with a new project to build “just out” and beckoning....

And maybe there's a comparison here between a growing tree and a growing pile of tiny plastic play-blocks. Each has its purpose—the one to sustain the environment, the other to “grow” little minds. The blocks certainly “trained” their dad's mind to “configure” and “connect.” He became an electrical engineer.

Back to that tree. Who would have imagined its steady growth from a “wee thing” to a giant of needled green beauty? And so it should be with us, spiritually. Planted in faith, nurtured with the Word, we are to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). And when those spiritual growing pains come—when life is hard—to remember: “Tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character, and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4).

Not wimpy, half-hearted, mist-blurred “religion,” but stalwart faith in a loving God.

BOOSTER SEAT

The grand-boys had come for dinner, and as little Jimmy (then 4 ½) stood by “his” chair, he touched the strapped-in “booster chair” and said, “Nana, I don't need this anymore.” Oh, another milestone of growth. First, he was a babe in arms. Then he sat in a high-chair where he slopped his food all over the tray. Finally, he was promoted to the “big people table” in a booster seat next to his brothers, with his own plastic dishes and place mat.

Hearing his request, I unstrapped and removed the booster, and he sat down, way down, so that his chin was almost even with the tabletop. Knowing he wouldn't want to resume the “booster seat” era, I found a thin foam pillow for him to sit on to give him a little height. That suited him just fine. Growing up with stair-step older brothers, he's tried hard to keep up with them. And even a little matter of outgrowing the booster seat was important to him.

Someday, even, he will grow out of the “foam pillow” boost, and his chin will steadily rise from table-level. Someday, that chin will have whiskers! I'm not sure I'll still be around for that, but for now, I'm glad I can encourage his desire to “not be a baby anymore.”

Later on, that incident got me thinking about “baby Christians” and the need to grow past the basics of accepting Jesus' death for our sins, and growing in the faith. One of my spiritual mentors years ago (a godly senior – the age I am now!) challenged me with her faith-walk and consistent scripture memory program. For some reason, this verse she recited to me—with a tear in the corner of her eye-- stands out from all the others:

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18 (KJV)

Even at her age, this godly woman didn't consider herself Christian "enough” to coast with her current faith-walk. She was always growing, always praying, always reading and memorizing scripture. And it showed—in her eternal confidence and compassion for her family and the bigger needs of the world. She was into the “real meat” of scripture and into the “real heart” of prayer. I loved her and learned from her.

I think her distinctive spiritual character was that she loved her Jesus and she loved the scriptures. Her Bible was so well-used that it seemed molded to her lap. Such intimacy with God's Word doesn't come from haphazard reading or a quickie in a devotional. As I observe today's media culture (computer/smart phone addiction to gaming, social sites, other entertainment) capture the hearts of this next generation, I wonder: where will be the spiritual giants? Will they succeed in saying “no” to excesses of entertaining videos or social media to cultivate the most important relationship of all—that with the Lord Jesus? Will they grow out of the “baby habits” of a snitch of scripture here or there (if any) and really “chew” on mature spiritual food? Will their lives show it?

Such questions I ask myself: have I moved on from baby food to real spiritual meat? Is it making a difference in my life? Does scripture “give me a boost” to love my Savior even more?

LISTED

This sign I spotted at a tourist attraction gift store made me pause and ask, “Who could be so perfect as to be all of that!” Then I realized that every character quality it named is worthy of embracing. Impossible goals? Not with this admonition tucked into the end of Peter's second letter to Christians trying to live in a messed-up world. (And how contemporary his words!) He closes with this: "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen" (2 Peter 3:18 NIV).

I have an author-friend, Lucinda Secrest McDowell, who annually chooses just one word as her spiritual focus for the year, usually a character quality she wants to consciously cultivate. She has written devotional books that do just that: expand on dozens of words with spiritual-growth implications.* 

As a new, uncharted year opens before us, why not choose a “goal word”? This plaque has great suggestions for personal reflection and aspiration, but there are many more out there. Whatever you choose, consider posting it somewhere (like the bathroom mirror or above the kitchen sink) where you'll see it regularly. (One year I taped mine, “Inspire,” over the camera “dot” of my laptop computer.) An added idea: write out below the word a Bible verse explaining it. 

Here are some I thought of in connection with the plaque's “qualities” list: 

TRUE—Paul urged us to think on things that are true (Phil. 4:8), not half- or shaded-”truth.” We're to draw near to Jesus with true hearts (Hebrews 10:22). 

SMART—More Paul-advice: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity” (Ephesians 5:15-16). 

HUMBLE—God watches for those who are God-focused, “contrite and lowly in spirit” (Isaiah 57:15). Peter, again: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). 

CLEAN—This isn't just about washing machines, showers, or housekeeping—although taking care of our possessions is part of showing appreciation to God for His provision. It's also about heart-care. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). 

 INVOLVED—My favorite role model, an ancient seamstress (also known as Dorcas): “Tabitha...was always doing good and helping the poor” (Acts 9:56). 

GRATEFUL—Making gratitude a lifestyle: “Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Pursue the habit of arrow-gratitude—quick prayers that begin, “Thank you, Lord, for....” 

POSITIVE—From the heart of Paul, who experienced terrible opposition and barely escaped alive from scary situations: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). 

STILL—Pursue times away from the constant busyness of our media and electronic lifestyle: “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

PRAYERFUL—Live above the mundane, with hope and expectation: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving [see “grateful,” above], present your requests to God” (more advice from Paul, Philippians 4:6).

The sign in the shop probably didn't weigh more than a couple pounds, but oh, how heavy the words inscribed on it! Each is worthy of “dwelling” on for a year. Or maybe you have your own word. If so, could you share in the comments section of this blog? 

*For exceptional insights regarding "single words,"  *I commend McDowell's Dwelling Place and Ordinary Graces, both published by Abingdon Press (2016, 2017)