“Here we go…1-2-3-up!” I said to 5-year-old Kaleb, spreading my arms out.
He knows the ritual.
Each time I do that, Kaleb springs off the floor and wraps his legs around my waist. Then, I proceed to smother him with mommy kisses and tell him how much I love him.
But earlier today, mid-ritual, Kaleb said, “Mommy, I’m getting biggow (bigger) now.”
“Yeah, I know!” I smiled enthusiastically, planting another fat kiss on his cheek, completely missing the hint.
But when my dear son segued into a speech about how he was too big to hold and began wiggling his way out of my arms, I knew what that meant.
Oh.
I was being dissed by my baby boy, who isn’t quite a baby anymore.
When he was a tiny thing, I held and coddled him.
But now, he, and all the other kids, can stand on their own. So I’m learning to let go a little more, one step at a time.
The more they grow, the more I release, which is precisely what God does with us.
The more we mature, the more our Heavenly Father releases us to walk into our destiny. The “Growth and Release Process” ensures that we are not given anything before we are equipped to handle it.
But when God knows we’re ready, He begins opening doors for us to walk through. He presents opportunities for us to seize.
He lets us go… though He is with us always.
When we’re ready, He releases us.
And I believe someone reading this blog post today is ready for your release.
2011 was a time of growth and preparation for you, and that maturation process will continue forever. But there are some specific things last year’s trials and setbacks accomplished in your life. They matured you and got you ready for where God wants you to go right now.
Like Kaleb, you no longer need to be held and coddled.
You’re strong, capable, and armed with everything you need to stand on your own two feet.
It’s what I call a season of release.
We all have one.
This is yours.
Even if you’re still being tested and tried at this moment, don’t fret. Rather, rejoice, because that means you’re being prepared and positioned to receive God’s rich blessings.
To remind you of this truth, I’m stirring James 1:2-4 NIV into your cup of inspiration. It says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
When you drink down the contents of your cup, you’ll be reminded that trials mature you. And maturity positions you to live in God’s abundance, “not lacking anything.”
That’s why you often hear folks say, “The greater the trial, the greater the blessing.”
Get ready to walk in your season of blessing.
Now let’s pray this simple prayer together.
God, I thank You that my trouble pushed me toward maturity, and my maturity has pushed me into my season of release. I declare and receive it by faith. In Jesus' name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
