as children

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 john 3:1
I feel so blessed to be able to watch my niece Annabella grow up. She's only 6 months old, yet we all say, 'oh, she's so big.' This morning i was observing my sister Jamie give her bath, she loves the water so it's fun to watch her play in it. While Jamie was scrubbing her she sat her up to get her back and for the first time Annabella stayed sitting up with no assistance, just a splashing in the water. In that same bath time she also stuck her toe into her mouth, another first, and quite impressive if I must say so myself. I did not know that these were firsts for hers, but you better believe my sister did and proud of her too. She marvels at her growth (and flexibility!) Just like our Father notices all the little growing that we do. He knows that extra little step of obedience that we took, that any old outsider, or even close relative (or even yourself) might not have noticed. He noticed how we went just slightly out of our way to help somebody out, or share His love with someone. It's easy to get discouraged when we don't get noticed, or feel like we're not going anywhere, but just like a loving parent notices their child's every little growth so too does the Father, and He is proud. He calls you child because He knows you like a loving father and mother know their own children. He recognises when you are deliberately disobedient, but He also recognises when you joyfully obey. Will you let the Father lavish His love on you? It's a lot harder than it seems. But if you let Him lavish you with His love, it will change your life and you will find you can't resist but to love Him back and to love the one in front of you. He takes great delight in you, He quiets you with His love and rejoices over you with singing! (zephaniah 3:17)