Last year, I was given a card by my girls. It said these simple words:
Walk alongside me, Daddy and hold my little hand
I have so many things to learn that I don’t yet understand.
Every child needs a gentle hand to guide them as they grow.
So walk alongside me, Daddy, we have a long way to go.
Sounds lovely, doesn’t it? Well, in the last week I have added a new verse:
And when I need to learn to ride
The bike from Santa, Dad,
Just bend your back and hold the seat
And run while I peddle like mad!
I vividly remember learning to ride my first bike. I recall my Dad holding the small bag holder at the rear of the bike to stop me from falling over and running as fast as he could to keep pace, whilst yelling with all his might, “Not so fast, Son!” Now it’s my turn to be the frazzled Dad. My daughter is getting better at it, but we are not there yet. Her balance is improving, her confidence is growing, and her speed is increasing all the time. The transformation is visible and will hopefully be complete when she can ride unaided in the near future. The transformation is also visible in me. I’m not sure what the neighbours must think as they see me sat on the kerbside, red-faced, gasping for breath and holding my back!
I remember the exhilaration I felt when I learned to ride my first bike. Even at such a young age I was full of confidence and had a great belief in myself to achieve things that seemed impossible. It was an important lesson to learn, that in life we can change things for the better and improve who we are. Transformation is an on-going process; personal development is to be embraced by us all. I am also very conscious that I cannot change everything about my person no matter how hard I try. As a follower of Jesus I do believe that what I am powerless to change, God most certainly can change. Today, at the beginning of this new year we take the time to pause, to take stock, to look at our lifestyle, to seek out godliness in all aspects of our being. Most importantly, we remind ourselves that God is in the business of transformation – it’s His desire for us to become like Him in our characteristics and with His Holy Spirit’s help parts of our old self can be transformed and the new self in His image can take shape. Who can? God can!
Every blessing,
Major Adrian