Once upon a time there was an apprentice.  She was earnest, but not particularly quick to learn.  Her instructor kindly and patiently repeatedly took her step by step over the process necessary to master the skill.  It had been a slog, yet her instructor always encouraged her.  The instructor knew that the apprentice needed to be corrected when she got something wrong, but the instructor was gentle with her corrections and always confirmed the parts she got right.  The apprentice was making progress, making both of them happy.  Then one day the apprentice arrived at a certain location to assist her instructor on an important job- one that couldn’t be redone.  They had only one chance and it had to be right.  To the apprentice’s horror, her instructor’s right arm was in a sling making it impossible for her to do the job.  With a smile, the instructor handed the apprentice her own tool with the words, “You can do this.  I’m right here to help.”  And she stood at the apprentice’s elbow and guided her successfully through the entire process.  The apprentice felt supported, encouraged, and empowered.  Her instructor was pleased with her work and told her so.  The apprentice finally realized she actually could perform the responsibilities and skills demanded by the job!  With help.  And that’s the story of how I photographed my very first wedding.  (Many followed.)

We all need to remind ourselves that God treats us in a similar way.  Some of us struggle to believe that God could be pleased with us because we’re painfully aware of our shortcomings.  We need to believe what the Scriptures say about God’s attitude toward us.  We need to remember that we are God’s work in progress.  We are apprentices in the process of learning.  Although God has to correct us, when we are willing to change and obey he does it gently so that we improve, not to condemn or discourage us.  He is right at our elbow guiding and enabling through the Holy Spirit.  He is eager for us to succeed.  And he understands that we are in a process of daily small steps in the right direction of learning and growing in our faith.  He is patient.  He extends all kinds of grace to smooth over our many rough spots and teaches us to do the same for others and ourselves.  He is delighted when we listen to his teachings and do them because he knows that is the avenue to fulfillment and happiness for us.  He never expects us to come up with the determination, skills, and good decisions on our own.  Instead, he walks beside us each step of our days generously giving us what we lack. We’re secure in his tender love.

“I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”  Ephesians 3:14-19

“May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.  By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him.”  2 Peter 1:2-3

“We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.  God is love . . . And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.”  1 John 4:16-17

“Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  Jesus in Matthew 11:29