Friday, May 27, 2011

God's Grace Over 14 Years

Verse of the Day: 1Cor. 15:10 [KJV]
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain


Just thinking this afternoon how far God has brought me since I was a child of, say, about eight. As my loving parents grew, they taught us. Experiences and other people in my life have helped shape me into what I am today -- still not much to look at, but stirving to be more and more conformed to the image of His Son.






When I was 8: I had no concept of Christian service, beyond going to church.


Now: My greatest desire is to serve the Lord on the mission field some day, and serve Him HERE right now.


When I was 8:  I had my very own New International Version Bible


Now:  I understand why the King James Bible is God's perfect, preserved Word, and have no less than seven copies!


When I was 8: I hoped to someday play drums and electric guitar (you know, with all the boxes, pedals, wires, speakers, and stuff.)


Now:  I desire to worship God with holy hymns, singing and playing cello. I hope to someday play my cornet in such a way that it does not curdle milk. :-)


When I was 8:  I didn't have a clue how to tell someone about Christ.


Now: I witness to people at work nearly every day.


When I was 8: I didn't know the least thing about farming. (besides that milk came from a cow, and I helped pick up eggs a few times in a little chicken house.)


Now: I'm embarking on a whole new adventure starting my own small farm, having learned by living on one for over a year. Not that I know much still, but that's why I'm starting out small!


When I was 8: Sermons were a thing to be endured for half an hour after Sunday school.


Now: I enjoy hearing three hour-long messages from God's Word every Sunday, and one on Wednesday.


When I was 8: I went to church and saw little that differentiated its people from the world.


Now: I appreciate the families at our church dressing in modest apparel and showing discretion and propriety  in conversation and interaction.


When I was 8:  Instead of using the math facts drilled into me over and over, and over again by a patient homeschooling Mom, I would count addition and subtraction problems on my fingers under the table.


Now:  I still do that!


 So you see there is room for improvement still, and much more than mathematics, of course. Like the song Higher Ground  suggests:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand
By faith on heaven's table-land.
A higher plane than I have found:
Lord, plant my feet on Higher Ground!

5 comments:

Sean-Allen said...

Very interesting! I am glad you have grown spiritually, brother!

Matthew Garfat said...

Wow, That's some pretty good growing. But, may I ask how having seven KJV Bibles means growing in the Lord? I'm two days older then you,but I only have three. Does that mean I'm not as mature?

Unknown said...

No, Matthew, I'm not proving how much I grew, but how far the Lord brought me. One Bible is enough, but God has chosen to bless me with a number of them. I'm nothing special; all the glory goes to God!

Matthew Garfat said...

I was just sort of kidding.

Jamie Parfitt said...

We just read this for the first time. We must have missed several! Have you learned that memorized math facts save you time (yet)? :-)

Love, Mom