First Church of God

(This is Jacob with his Valentine Box!)

I know it is well past Valentine's Day, but I read a scripture tonight that reminded me of this moment I had with Jacob.  The week of Valentine's Day we made a box for Jacob to take to school with him to collect his Valentines in that he received from his classmates.  As we were finishing our little project I suddenly realized that this would be the very last time I made a Valentine Box with one of my boys.  Both Caleb and Jacob will be at the Middle School next year.  I took a picture so that we could remember this particular box forever.  I guess you could say this was the "End of an Era"!  My boys are growing up. 

In James 1:2-4 it says, "Consider it pure joy , my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  Over the years I have watched my boys grow into young men that I am very proud of.  But, it has not been without trial.  They have had to learn many hard and sometimes unpleasant lessons.  They are who they are because of those trials.  They are who they are because they have persevered and matured through those tough lessons.  There will be many more lessons to learn, many more trials to face, and their faith will be tested time and time again.   I understand, as a Mother, that with growing up comes "hard knocks". And, watching Jacob that evening carefully making that Valentine Box my heart ached for those days when I could hold him in my lap wrapped snug in a blanket and protect him from the cold, hard world outside. 

Last week I wrote about the future God has planned for us...and the faith it takes to trust in that.  I know that so many of us are going through really hard times right now, unique to ourselves.  And, I thought as I looked at this picture about the maturing process that is taking place in each one of us because of the trials we are walking through. So, when I read this scripture in James it reminded me that we are all developing perseverance.  God is at work in our lives through our trials.  He is building in us perseverance so that we can mature, be complete, and lack nothing. What an encouragement!  In the middle of the JUNK of life we can find joy!  No matter what happens there is growth taking place in our lives. We might be a little different after the storm.  We might feel a little weathered, but sometimes a little weathering is needed in order to gain the wisdom God desires that we have. 

I cannot stop my boys from growing up.  I cannot stop the trial that will come to my life and theirs.  I cannot stop the pain or hurt that you are going through at this moment.  But, I can remind you of the promises found within the pages of His word that tells us...these trials will not keep us from the love of God.  These trials will be used by Him to mold us into the person that He can use to do great things.  Consider these trials joy, my friends...growth is on the other side!  You are being prayed for and thought of this week!