We had a term in our family when my children were growing up: “The Gangly Years”. Those are the pubescent years between being small children and teens. Their hands and feet are too big for the rest of their bodies resulting in a general physical clumsiness. Constant growth disrupts their center of gravity. Many children also have “mixed dentition” – which is the fancy name for a mouthful of baby teeth and adult teeth. When they smile it can be surprising to see such a mismatch of teeth packed into their mouths. The gangly years are rather chaotic.
THE STORMS OF EMOTIONS
Not only are they physically awkward, but their emotions are a turbulent sea of waves in which we are all tossed about. One day their reactions to stressors are like those of a young child: the next like a grown-up. As parents, we worked hard to encourage confidence in our children through this time and to delightfully envision who they were becoming.
AN AWKWARD, CONFUSING AND CHALLENGING TIME
Even still, there were days when the reality of being in between the current reality and eventuality was less than any of us hoped. I often questioned my parenting skills while in the throes of these years. I knew and understood who they were as small children but needed vision to guide and raise them to be who God called them to be. It was an awkward, confusing, and challenging time for each of us requiring patience, gentleness, and love.
WHAT HAPPENED TO HANNAH?
One Sunday morning when in the thick of this season with our eldest, my husband asked me, “What happened to Hannah?!?” Concerned that something was wrong but not wanting to overreact, I asked him what he meant. He told me that she suddenly looked so grown up and beautiful in her Easter dress. I peeked out the doorway and across the hall to the bathroom. There she stood, fixing her hair. My breath momentarily caught in my throat.
THE LITTLE GIRL REPLACED BY A GLIMPSE OF THE YOUNG WOMAN
It was true. Gone was my little girl and in her place stood a glimpse of the stunning woman she was becoming. It was as if I suddenly knew the awkward phase would not last forever. That brief moment was such an encouragement to my heart. Sure, there were still many years of perseverance in helping her and my other children grow to maturity. Transformation takes time. But God’s grace was there every step of the journey.
HOW’S YOUR DEVELOPMENT?
Where are you in your development in becoming mature in Christ? Are you in your own spiritual gangly years: between the current version of yourself and the renewed person God is establishing in you? Do you live with mismatched parts that make a less-than-ideal presentation to the world around you? How does your life match up with Ephesians 4:1-16?
Perhaps you feel overwhelmed in the process of becoming who you were created to be, wondering if you’re doing this right because some days there is a greater quantity of sharp words than kind ones which roll off your tongue. (Proverbs 10:9; 15:4) Maybe you wrestle with fear and renewing your mind. (2 Timothy 1:7; Romans 12:2)
GOD’S PATIENCE
Take heart, for God will patiently, gently, and lovingly complete the work He began in you. (Philippians 1:6) His hands have been fashioning you from the very beginning. Every day ordained for you is written in His book. (Psalm 139:13-16) He sees you mature and complete and has the patience for your spiritually gangly years.
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Author Susan Cazillo is a wife, mom, and nonni. Her family are the most important people in her life. She’s grateful to serve as a career navigator for out of school youth, ages 16-24, partnering with them so they can achieve their goals just as others did for her.