Independence

We are this close to having Brie out of diapers for good! We're so close, we can taste it (maybe not the best expression to use when talking about the other end of the food cycle).

There were a string of mornings where Brie woke up with a dry diaper - I told her five was the goal before going sans Fuzzi Bunz and she surpassed that. So, finally we tried it...and then did some laundry the next morning.

Now that we're using the cloth diapers and not having to spend hard earned money on diapers, it doesn't seem to bother me as much, but it still will be exciting to reach that milestone. And it will feel good to say, "one down, two to go." With having three children 4 1/2 and under, we really look forward to these milestones of independence. Though in the back of my mind, I keep hearing the phrase "they grow up so fast." And they do and I'm sure at some point down the diaper-free road, I'll find myself saying I miss changing diapers and become all misty-eyed and nostaligic.

I wonder what God thinks of our continued growth and independence. Does He cheer... when we reach that new level of knowledge? Grasp that concepts He's been trying to show us for ages? Finallyconquer an area of sin that's plagued us forever? Or does He miss those days of childhood...the innocence and simple faith in which we came before Him, cried for understanding, sought His arms for comfort?

I think it must be all of those for we are created in His image. Maybe that's why we are continually challenged and brought to our knees. It's His loving way of enabling us to become children before Him again, recongizing we cannot do it alone and trusting in Him for provision, love and strength.

So, perhaps it's not "independence" we should celebrate, but rather "in dependence." For when we depend on God, we are putting our faith and trust in the One who can meet every need and lift us up when we are brought low.