Appearances - Our granddaughter is about 7 months old. People always ask, "Who does she look like, her mother or her father?" We have gotten baby pictures of her father out and her mother's side has done the same thing. The "jury" is still out, but it seems as if she looks more like her mother's baby pictures than her father's.

That brings me to ask, "Who do we resemble?" Jesus once commented that the Jews who were standing opposed to Him were "doing the work their father did…because they were of their father, the devil." (John 8:41 & 44) In our works do we resemble our heavenly Father or the devil? Paul gives a good description of what the works of each are like in Galatians 5:19-245. On account of our baptism, we can "walk in newness of life." *Romans 6:4)

Crabbiness - Yes, there I said it, she wasn't the perfect, little angel that we'd like her to be all of the time. She was hot and hungry and tired and scared of all of the new faces. So, sometimes, she didn't want "Grandpa" to hold her. This was especially true as she was getting ready to leave and head back home.

We get moody sometimes, too, don't we? Although we have reason to "Rejoice in the Lord always!" we don't! Fatigue, stress, illness and other things attempt top rob us of the joy that Jesus has made possible. How good it is that He forgives us and forgets our sins!

Determination - Our granddaughter is one determined little girl, even at only 7 months old! She will reach for a toy, try and reach something that has caught her eye or, soon, crawl and walk!

The Christian life is one of effort and determination, too! Although our salvation is what was accomplished for us by Christ, there is work for us to do. We are called to "not conform but be transformed" (Romans 12) and to "lay aside the sin that clings so closely to us" (Hebrews 12) and "live in unity with all in Christ." (Ephesians 4) All this is possible as "Christ works in us!"