Late Bloomers, Take Heart!

We've all heard of Grandma Moses. Did you know that she painted her first picture when she was 76 years old? She continued to paint almost every day until a few months before her death at 101. Her paintings hang in nine museums in the United States as well as museums in Vienna and Paris. Grandma Moses took up painting because arthritis had crippled her hands and she could no longer embroider. What a woman!

The Grandma Moseses of this world give me hope. I am a late bloomer, and for many years I beat myself up because I felt like I should be further along in life. My early life shouted "mess!" It was only when my relationship with Christ began at age 32 that I started learning what life is all about. I had so much to unlearn - it was the old one step forward and two steps back.

Philippians 1:6 says that "He who began a good work in you will carry it on until the day of completion." That's a wonderful promise, but it can throw you for a loop when God starts carrying it out. He set about pruning me for His purposes after I was saved, but I had this unrealistic view of the Christian life. For many years I didn't understand that He was ridding me of pride, selfishness, and many other un Christlike characteristics. Therefore, I pitched fits like the child I was rather than cooperating with Him when difficult things happened in my life. But...God does not give up on us! Even in the midst of giving Him a hard time, I saw progress. Now, thirty years later, I can look back and thank God for disciplining me. Hebrews 12:11 is so true: "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful (Amen!). Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

I love the story of Caleb. This feisty 85 year old claimed his portion when the land was being divided among the tribes of Israel. Here's what he said: "So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day." He then promised Joshua that he would drive out the Anakites. He got his land, and he kept his promise!

How about you? Are you a late bloomer? Do you have dreams that lie buried deep in your heart? My friend, with the Lord it is never too late! Look for the next post where I'll tell you how God resurrected a dream that I thought was dead. Talk to you soon!