Little By Little

God spoke, "Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased and possess the land." -Exodus 23:30 (NRSV)

I have written in the past few months that I feel my family and I are in a holding pattern, waiting room, and during the Easter season that we are living in our Saturday - between the death and the resurrection. Our culture has such a hard time waiting. In this process, I am definitely part of my culture. I find myself praying, "God please speak to us...." It was Mother's day yesterday and we are missing Nicholas terribly. Matthew and Alice are great joys, yet our nest is missing one.

God gave Moses the laws for Israel and guided the chosen people through the wilderness toward the land promised as theirs. However, God did not promise immediate victory over the people who were occupying the land. Getting rid of the inhabitants all at once would have left the land useless and unattended, because Israel did not have sufficient people to give it proper care. Instead, Israel took over little by little, securing that which could be cared for until they were ready for more.

"Little by little" is not an acceptable pace to many of us who want immediate results. Nevertheless, my experience has been that spiritual growth little by little is far more possible than is instant perfection. The Promised Land is still ahead. Not everything that needs to be driven out has yet been accomplished in us. But we are maturing in God "little by little." Even in our grief, we are maturing in God's love, compassion and comfort. He never said it would not hurt, but that He would never leave us alone in the pain.

You know I love ya, Don