Iron Rose Sister Ministries

Scrolling through the pictures on my phone, in search of an old picture that I wanted to show someone, shock overcame me as I recognized the tremendous growth of my nephew in a relatively short amount of time.
Whether inspired by Pinterest or the example of others, many new moms take pictures of their babies at each month’s milestone—either in the same chair, with the same stuffed animal, or with a sign designating the month completed.
In previous decades, small school pictures were placed in a special frame that had a circle of slots for each year’s picture, culminating in the full-size high school graduation picture in the center.
We love to celebrate the milestones: birthdays, graduations, anniversaries... but they are not when the transformation takes place. A child’s growth is not stunted for a full year and then, on the anniversary of their birth, sprouts and blossoms into the size they will be for the next year.
Growth is a transformation process recognized at milestones.
This is true of our spiritual growth, as well. Baptism is the moment of rebirth. And we celebrate our spiritual birthday each year on the anniversary of that date.
Just as with a baby who grows so rapidly during their first years, we can become unrecognizable, compared to our former selves, thanks to the transforming power of the Spirit.
Spiritual growth and transformation do not happen overnight. Satan may be trying to thwart your growth with frustrated feelings brought about by an apparent lack of change, or a step backwards in your progress.
Take a look back to last week, month, or year. Are you the same person that you used to be?
Let’s not let Satan get us down, but rather remember that growth is a process recognized at milestones—a slow transformation that can more easily be recognized by looking back in comparison than dwelling in the momentary frustration.