“…But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.” Romans 5:20b
There are some phrases that are less appreciated with age; “you’ll grow into it” is one of them. When I was young, it wasn’t a bad thing to receive something that, though not a perfect fit at the time, would eventually become something that I would grow into. From bicycles whose pedals were a stretch to reach, to outfits whose sleeves and legs would require a stretch to fill, growing into something simply meant I had something to look forward to. But, as an adult, I can’t say that I embrace the concept of growing into something the way I did as a child. Receiving items I can’t use now…but will have to grow into…is not only unappealing, it’s downright unflattering. Think about it. What is there, for a person who’s on the far side of middle-age, that would be exciting to wait for…to grow into? Cookware? Well, that would just mean I don’t yet have the culinary skills required to use what I’ve just received. Books? Again, if I have to grow into them, I must not have the aptitude to understand them as yet. And, while this is truly the case with many a text, telling me so will not bring accolades of delight from my lips! There’s furniture, that can be a nice gift, but the only furniture one grows into at my age is the lift chair and the Hover-round. And, what about clothing? While I used to like the idea of growing into an outfit, now…um…need I even answer this? Nope, there’s not one gift I can think of that I’d like to receive if it meant I’d have to grow into it.