The Sweet Spot

It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
    taking them by the arms;
but they did not realize
    it was I who healed them.

- Hosea 11:3

In this verse we’re reminded that God, the most amazing of Parents, teaches God’s children.  Sometimes the learning process is pure joy; sometimes it’s hard and involves struggle.  It reminds me of this idea educators talk about, the “zone of proximal development” – that sweet spot for good learning where we have just enough challenge AND just enough support (just enough love, just enough help, just enough care).

Here are some things you might talk over with God this morning:

• Has there been a challenging time in your life when God brought someone alongside you to care for or even teach you?  Let's thank God for them and what their support meant to us.
• Are you needing more challenge and/or more support in an area of your life right now?  Let's ask God for what we need and to help us take steps to get it.
• Is there someone God could use you to support?  Let's ask God to use us in the lives of others.