Clues From My Early Days

One of my earliest memories was of my third birthday, which, at the time, I did not understand why so many people were gathered at our small upstairs ‘apartment’. My family lived in my grandmother’s house which was split into three levels, with my parents, sister and I living in the top level. My brother would be born less than three weeks later. We celebrated my sister’s 2nd birthday the same day because her and I have birthdays just days apart (we were almost Irish twins)!

After pushing past some confusion, I realized the gathering was Blues Clues themed, and a man in a giant ‘Blue’ costume came out to greet us. I don’t remember much else, except, at the end of the gathering, I followed the giant Blue to the room where he was going to change out of his costume. When I tried to enter, he had a few choice words to express to me, however. Perhaps he could have done better to heed the words of Jesus:

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.  And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.    Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
- Matthew 18:1-5

The memory of my 3rd birthday is from so long ago (March 2001) and perhaps I mixed up some details in my mind over the years, but I do remember how I felt. I felt confused at first, and I felt the anger from that man. Maybe I had a good time, but maybe I was overwhelmed, but certainly all of it is a blur. It is interesting that I did not realize the party was for me, but I got a chance to act on my curiosity, and what I discovered left a lasting impession.

I don’t know if I wanted more time with Blue or if I wanted to see who was under the costume. Whatever the reason, I followed that blue alien dog (the O.G. before Lilo & Stitch) as I was acting in my own real-life Blue’s Clues episode.

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.
-1 Corinthians 13:11

To this day, I’m more of an introspective type and not into large gatherings. I find myself looking for ways God chooses to show his glory and will for my life. My curiosity for God propels me forward to discover clues into what I was made for and where I am going. What’s important is that I do not allow the many distractions and trials of life to stunt my relationship with and growing knowledge of God, but to continue to mature in my faith and to even challenge myself out of the comfort zone.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
- Philippians 3:20-21

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
- Romans 1:20

To this day, I want to know what I can share with others while I am learning and growing as a living testimony to many things God has done through Jesus Christ in me. I am excited to continue learning and professing His name!

For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.  Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.  And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. 
- Hebrews 13:14-16