Gift of Challenge, Conflict and Change
These three are summed up in one for me right now : parenting. Actually, two - and marriage.
Parenting holds the challenging reality that I am shaping other eternal creatures lives, the conflict of growing personalities bumping into one another (and mine) and change, well, kids don't stay the same for very long, do they? Nor do they allow my plans to stay in place long, either.
In marriage there is a continual challenge to love another more than myself, the conflict of two living as one flesh, and the need for me to change and to be changed. This is my Father's will for me - and it is good, very good - not always easy. (A thought on conflict too: it is not always a negative thing. It is through conflict that we are shaped: "As iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another" Proverbs 27:17)
These four relationships are not only jewel-like gifts in themselves, but the challenge, conflict and change that they present drive me back to my Father for wisdom, grace - and oh, everything.
So thank you, my Father.
