Babies. . .or Adults?

One of the great pleasures Glen and I have is getting together with all our children, who are now adults.  
Often someone in our family will send a group text which goes something like this:

 "We will be at XYZ Coffee shop tonight at 6:30 if anyone wants to join us."

                         "We'll be there."

                          "I can't make it until 7:15."

    "OK, 7:15 is good."

                                     "I have a late appointment, but I'll be there about 7:30" 

Soon there would be a commitment from all seven (nine if the grandchildren can join us) and before long we are grouped around a couple tables at one of our local coffee shops, our warm mugs in our hands, sharing much more than coffee.

Our adult children are more than our children, they are our friends.  Now don't get me wrong, we loved -- absolutely loved them-- as babies.  They were easy babies to care for and we look back on those times with great joy and tenderness.  I have often told others, "If I could go back and hold them just once more as babies, I would."

But if they had stayed babies, we would have soon thought something was wrong, even as much as we loved them.

"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness:  for he is a babe.  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their sense exercised to discern both good and evil."  (Hebrews 5:12-14.)

As Christians, we are no more to remain babies than we want our own children to do so.  We are meant to learn and grow, to become skillful "in the word of righteousness" and to be those who can be called to be teachers of others.   The Lord desires sons and daughters who have grown to full maturity in Him.

Let us take advantage of His Word, the fellowship of other believers and the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that we may "be strong in the Lord, and the power of His might."