Little by Little

I think many of the important things in life are done little by little.

I enjoy watching Samuel grow little by little. Every day he does something new, something funny, and something cute. (In addition to a lot of other things, of course!) I like when he tries to say a new word for the first time, or points out a truck we’ve read about in a book but never seen before in real life. I like when he imitates something Brian and I have said in the past. Sometimes Samuel wants me to do something I’m not strong enough to do, so I tell him that Daddy is strong and can help when he gets home. I like hearing him repeat, “Daddy is strong. Daddy can do this.” I would be sad if Samuel grew up all at once. 

I have learned over the years that housework is best done little by little. For the most part, I do dishes after every meal, sweep at least once a day, and then try to do the rest of my household chores once a week on different days of the week, so I don’t feel overwhelmed and so I can spend more time doing things with Samuel and Brian. I especially like having a clean kitchen and floors with no toys or crumbs lounging about on them. I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment, even if I know I have to do a little more the next day.

Most importantly, we grow as Christians little by little. (Although I do believe that when we first begin to follow the Lord and even after, growth can and does happen really fast at certain times in our lives!) When I was a younger Christian, I looked at the older Christian women I knew and thought that I would never become as wise or as loving as them. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that they didn’t become wise or loving overnight, but rather had years of practice, failure, and learning how to rely on the Lord instead of themselves. I have a few younger Christian friends that I spend time with on a regular basis. They’ve mentioned a couple times how they feel so much less mature than I am. I keep reminding them that I am older, nowhere near perfect, and have had more time for God to grow me in faith and love for Him! 

In many, many ways, I’m thankful that spiritual growth comes slowly. I think slow growth makes us as Christians more humble and more understanding of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are also struggling through trials and temptations. I think slow growth keeps us from being prideful when we notice sin in someone else’s life. Slow growth also keeps us from being prideful when we feel like we have a better grasp of the Bible than someone else. Essentially, growing little by little reminds us that God is holy and we are not; we are all desperately in need of a Savior who cares for us!