“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”

I Corinthians 13:11-12

This brings me back to the beginning, started when my parents baptized me and I became part of God’s family. The difference this time is I am no longer a child, relying solely on others to teach me. Because of Jesus, I am a child of God, guided by His Holy Spirit and taught through His word every day. The journey of my lifetime continues—in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

After He welcomed me home…

Three passages of scripture encouraged me greatly in the early days, giving me a foundation in His word. I’ve written a post that pertains to each that goes deeper into why it impacted me so much.

The first scripture encouragement was shared as part of the membership class Tom and I took at our first church home (“Why, Jesus?”). I needed to understand this before I could move on. The second encouragement came through a sermon given by our Pastor there (“Butterfly Wings”) and it changed completely my understanding of my purpose in life. This was followed-up by God’s encouragement to me from Psalm 40 (“Higher Ground”) which told me how I would know the way I should go. Click the links to read the full post.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

John 14:1-2

God loves, cares, comforts and guides. Be encouraged by scripture, His word to us!