From Hopscotch to Holiness

34 From Hopscotch To HolinessHopscotch RulesHow to play hopscotch: Hop through the grid on one foot unlessthere are two squares side-by-side, then you jump landing withone foot in each square.FAVOR: kind act – an act of kindness performed or granted out ofgoodwill; approval, support, kindness; token of loyalty – something givenor worn as a token of love, allegiance, or goodwill.Take a moment and reflect on the game of hopscotch. Picture yourselfjumping on one foot through the hopscotch grid. Are you wobbly as youjump on one foot? Do you plant your feet squarely in the two side-bysidenumbers on the grid? Practice helps us build balance and dexterityduring the game of hopscotch. Likewise, we can grow in favor with Godand man through practice. Have you ever thought of the events of yourlife as practice for growing? In games, we build physical muscles withpractice. In life, we also need to build our spiritual muscles in order togrow. More than once, I know I complained to the Lord. “Father, haven’t Ilearned this lesson yet?” Looking back, it seems obvious that I’m learninglife lessons with an ever-increasing intensity. I believe that’s a sign ofGod’s favor.God’s favor is an action word, but it is definitely not a game. God isconstantly affirming our love relationship with him. When God shows hisfavor, he is demonstrating his kindness and love for us. But we must beaware of God’s goodness if we are to recognize his favor. It’s at exactlythis point that some of us may need to grow. Admittedly, sometimes Iwobble in my understanding and experience of the favor of God. I know Ido not always walk in confidence, receiving the favor of God.