Experiencing a delay?

My 8-year-old is learning to ride her bike without training wheels! Woo-hoo!! (Did you catch that part about her being EIGHT years old?) I don't know about you or your kids, but in our family, that's gettin' kinda "old" to be learning how to ride a two-wheeler.

According to the typical age of when babies and young children do things, Lauren has been "delayed" in most things. She crawled late (11 months old), walked late (16 months old), and even talked late. She didn't utter that precious word "Mama" until she was 17 months old. And because of these so-called delays, I remember the moments with clarity and the giddy excitement they produced. The fact is, there is nothing wrong with Lauren, and there is nothing wrong with her "delayed" timing.

Speaking of which, I feel like I typically know when something should happen in any given situation. God blessed me with a half-way decent brain and not-so-shabby organizational/management skills. So whatever is going on, it should pretty much happen according to my schedule. Because trust me, I've looked at all the various possibilities and weighed all the pros, cons, and possible outcomes. So clearly *this* is what should happen and *when* it should happen. It just makes sense!

Well...God isn't restricted to operating within the parameters of human wisdom. In fact, it's his modus operandi to do just the opposite:

Brothers and sisters, look at what you were when God called you. Not many of you were wise in the way the world judges wisdom. Not many of you had great influence. Not many of you came from important families. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and he chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose what the world thinks is unimportant and what the world looks down on and thinks is nothing in order to destroy what the world thinks is important. - 1 Corinthians 1

God has been showing me that his ways are definitely not my ways; and his thoughts are not my thoughts. He chooses to accomplish his purposes in ways that I would not have chosen in any way, shape, or form! He definitely baffles me at times, but I can tell you this - he is trustworthy and good. Of that, I am 100% confident.

I'm so thankful for the ray of sunshine that Lauren is in our lives! And I'm thankful for her "delayed" timing in reaching those special milestones in life. She is a reminder to me that there is most certainly nothing wrong with God's "delayed" timing. As a matter of fact, the most life-changing spiritual milestones in my life have come after what seemed like an inappropriately long amount of time. But those are the moments that made me giddy with excitement when they came; and those are the moments upon which I reflect as a reminder of how great my God truly is. There is NONE like him.

So how about you? Experiencing a so-called delay? Share your thoughts and what God is teaching YOU in the comments below.

UPDATE: The 'delay' is over! On this day, 09.21.13, Lauren began joyfully riding her bike on her own. We prayed first. She said, "Okay, deep breath" and literally took one, and off she went with God by her side. Isn't that just the way he wants it? Trusting him as we go! He's even patient and loving enough to wait until we're ready.

Just love each other

Large, captivated crowds. People hanging on his every word – some in awe and some in anger. Rowdy children laughing, playing, complaining to mom they are bored or hungry or both. Hopeful parents pressing through the crowd desiring for this man to touch and bless their squirming child. Meanwhile the disgruntled followers of this up-and-coming leader are shooing the kids away in annoyance. But then…

Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children."

Are you doing what I find myself doing? Are you glazing over because you’ve heard this a thousand times? Well, don’t! Jesus just shared something of colossal significance. Take notice.

The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are LIKE THESE CHILDREN. Uhhh…what are they like because I wanna belong!

Well, I could talk about how children naturally trust people and accept differences in others. Or that children are teachable and eager to learn – and they are amazingly quick to forgive. But one of the most endearing and fun attributes of a child to me is their tendency to take things literally.

Eliza is the precious 3-year-old daughter of my friend, Jamie. Eliza knows how to cut-to-the-chase and not spend precious time messing around with bothersome details. She listens to instructions – and does exactly what she is told. Take a look at her bunny maze.

It makes so much sense, doesn't it?! Eliza reminds me of a sweet lamb following her Shepherd. My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me. (John 10)
Now if only I could do the same. If only I were so quick to follow the clear and literal instructions of my Shepherd instead of trying to cut corners or veer off in the wrong direction - leading to a dead end. For example, Jesus literally means it when he says:

Love each other. You must love each other as I have loved you. - John 13

When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you. - Ephesians 4

Discipline your children while you still have the chance; indulging them destroys them. - Proverbs 19

Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. - Romans 12

This list could go on and on, right? But I prefer to keep things simple. And if I take it literally when my Shepherd says "love each other," the rest of the details will fall into place. As a child who belongs to his Kingdom, I'll keep striving to follow his clear and literal instructions. Love each other. Can't go wrong with that.

Christian-ish or Christ Follower?

Calling myself a Christian in America seems almost meaningless anymore. It's not a strong enough statement in this present culture. Everyone and their brother claims to be "Christian." I recently heard someone describe himself as "Christian-ish." The fact is, there's no such thing.

I am a Christ follower. As a Christ follower, I truly FOLLOW Christ and believe his every word. He affects every part of my life. Just as a marriage relationship is entered into with two devoted, loving participants...so it is in a relationship with Jesus. I continuously pursue a thriving relationship with him (and he with me!) and over time, I become an imitator of the One I am in a relationship with. He rubs off on me! (Try and tell me your spouse or best friend hasn't rubbed off on you in one way or another.)

There were times when Jesus was unabashedly confrontational, not with "sinners" who flocked to him because they knew they needed saving, but with the "religious" who were full of arrogance and pride. Sadly, "American Christianity" is something contrary to true Christianity. As David Platt has said, "We make [the gospel] look like us and fit into our lifestyle instead of adjusting our lifestyle to the gospel. In the process we make following Jesus more American than it is biblical."

What Jesus says to the church in Sardis he can say to us, “I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief."

As Christ followers, we need to be sure we are AWAKE to the spiritual battle that rages around us. We need soft, pliable hearts – willing to repent and turn back to the God who made us and loves us. As any spouse or friend knows, there is plenty of need for repentance in relationships. Thankfully, we have a more-than-willing Savior ready to forgive, restore, and continuously make us NEW.

So…are you a Christ follower?