awareness

Seeing your children grow up can be a bitter sweet thing.

Seeing them develop and grow and become independent can bring a joy like no other.

Sometimes there can also be a sadness. They become more self aware and more likely to experience a loss of innocence and a greater chance of feeling embarrassment.

This year Abby was very much more reluctant to wear her elf costume out in public. It was clear that she had become more self conscious and concerned with what other people might think. Last year she wasn't worried at all.

It reminds me of Adam and Eve when they discovered they were naked and felt the need to cover up.

We do live in a fallen and sinful world. Like all of us, I have sadly contributed to the sinfulness of our global community.

However, Jesus has set us free. We now live in freedom. We do not live in shame and condemnation.

God's grace is outrageous. May we all learn to live life to the full under the banner of such grace.