When I was twelve years old I remember I was placed in a class that was geared for students who liked math, who were good at building things and pretty much had the knack to be an engineer or architect. Why I had to take this class I have no idea but apparently the school heads thought it was a great idea. So, if you know anything about me, that is not who I am at all. I am not a hands on, let’s build it kind of guy. In fact today, I literally have to watch a YouTube video on how to replace a light bulb. Anyway, I will never forget our assignment. We had to construct a model of a building, or something of that nature. We had to sketch drawings of it and then we had to build the model from scratch. Well, some kids went right to work and in the coming weeks, these brilliant little engineers were building beautifully constructed wooden bridges, hockey rinks, skyscrapers, pretty impressive looking. I remember the teacher would walk around the class, marveling at some of the projects and would give them positive feedback but when he came to my workstation, it was not going so well. There I was at my desk with a glue stick putting together popsicle sticks. You see, I was going to build a popsicle stick house and all I had to show my teacher was just me gluing a few sticks together. He was polite and would smile and wish me the best but I could see he was concerned about if I even had a clue of what I was doing. Actually, I really had no clue and even I felt like I wasn’t going to be able to do this, but thankfully mom and dad came to my rescue. I really don’t think that’s how my parents wanted to spend their weekend but the day before the deadline they lovingly helped me and we finally finished my dream home. When I presented my freshly spray painted lopsided house to my teacher, he finally saw all along what my intentions were and even cracked a smile.  Yes, it wasn’t nearly as good as everyone else’s, but so what, I still did it and was proud of my accomplishment. Today, I was thinking about my spiritual journey and if I’m to be honest, it sometimes feels like I’m at my desk with a glue stick and a couple of popsicles and the deadline is approaching and what do I really have to show for God? I feel overwhelmed, disappointed in myself, I look at all my failures, feel like everyone else around me has it better. But then He reminds me to stop trying to compare myself to others, stop trying to perform for Him, it’s a process and I can’t do it without Him. Just like my parents came alongside me and helped me to finish,  God is there to glue the broken pieces of my life together. Wherever we find ourselves in this life, remember don’t give up, He has promised to complete what He’s started. Even if you feel stuck and discouraged, maybe even a little overwhelmed in your spiritual walk, with only a couple of popsicle sticks and some glue, don’t give up, just give it up to Him and watch Him transform your life into the person He knows you can become. 

Philippians 1:6

6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.