The granddaughters came over the other day and we spent the afternoon doing the usual, playing hide and seek, singing songs and coloring and drawing.  While we were drawing I noticed that Haley who is two and a half years old drew a picture of some rainbows and some flowers.  This is the first time I have ever seen her draw those things.  When I commented on her lovely drawing, her older sister Avery who is four and a half let me know that she had taught Haley how to draw those rainbows and flowers.  I told Avery that I was very proud of her for helping her younger sister learn about new things.  In just the past month alone Avery has helped Haley with her numbers, her ABC’s, and helped her learn not to be afraid of the big slide at Jumpy Place.  She has even helped her to learn a new song called “Jesus is my best friend.”  While we talked about all the good things her little sister is learning, Avery pointed out that Haley still needs to work on not grabbing the purple marker when Avery is trying to use it.  I encouraged Avery to be patient with her little sister.

It is beautiful to see the giving and receiving of knowledge and the growth going that is taking place in both of them.  Those same characteristics should be present in the lives of the followers of Christ.  We should be willing to share what we know with others and we should be eager to learn from “those who know already the ropes.”  Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:11, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ” and in Titus chapter 2 he speaks about younger Christians being mentored by the more mature saints of God.  Not only does this take patience on behalf of those teaching and sharing but it takes humility on behalf of those receiving.  It can be a little difficult sometimes to admit that we don’t know everything or that we need to learn from someone else.  We should never forget that all of us are called to “grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).”   We should never be so proud as to deny that all of us at times struggle with taking the purple markers when it’s not our turn to use them.  All of us have things that we can learn; all of us are students in some respect.

I think the reason that the learning is going so well between my granddaughters is because of the great love they have for one another.  Though there are times when they fuss and fight like any 2 year old and 4 year old sisters, their love for one another always prevails.  It should be that way for brothers and sisters in Christ.  The only way each of us will really grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ is if we work together, help one another and allow a godly love for one another to prevail.  As Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 3:12, “and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another.”  I pray that you may have a good week.  If you don’t have a mentor in the faith, ask the Lord to lead you to one.  And ask the Lord to help you be one.  Go forth and love one another; be gracious to one another.  Learn something new this week.  Teach somebody else to draw rainbows and butterflies.   Be patient as you learn and teach.  And above all things, grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Until next time, stay strong in the faith.