Stages of Life

Gimme Phase:
When we are born into this world, we are constantly crying for attention and love. We need food so we cry, we need a hug so we cry, we need clean clothes so we cry. When a parent looks down at their child, do they think to themselves "what a horrible child, all they do is ask for their needs, what about my needs?!" No. They think to themselves what a beautiful child I have, and they are going to grow up to be a wonderful son/daughter.
When this becomes a problem:
When the child is no longer a child, and they still want their diaper to be changed. Imagine a 28 year old man wanting his mother to feed him. Something is wrong with that picture.

Use Me Phase:
Put me in the game coach! This is the part of life where we want to be in the spot light. We want to cash in our luck.  We want to be noticed! That girl across the hall, that just seems to be the most beautiful person in the world, we want her to notice us! It is not to be confused with the gimme phase, because it is no longer asking to be provided for, but it is asking to be used so that we can be noticed.
When this becomes a problem:
If the person is not ready for the spotlight, they will either get embarrassed with their confidence completely lost, or they will become prideful and arrogant.

Show Me Phase:
I want to know what is wrong with me so that I can fix it. I want to know the answer. I want to know what to do so I can do it. I want to know it all.
When this becomes a problem:
Knowing does not always transfer into doing. You can know that volunteering is a good thing, but never do it. You can know about the poverty in different countries but have no compassion.

I Surrender Phase:
No matter what happens in life, it is in God's control. No matter what the situation. No matter what the cause. No matter. God has it under control. You become His servant, and He takes care of you. He will give to you, He will use you, and He will show you, but on one condition; that it is all under His supervision and timing.


Being selfish is not wrong, when you are a child.
Being wanted to be used is not wrong, when the coach puts you in the game.
Having desire to know things is not wrong, when a teacher teaches you.

Recently, I've been in three of the four phases. I've been selfish, wanting God to give me everything that I could possible want. I've been wanting to be used in my church/school/work so that I can be noticed and applauded. I've wanted God to show we the mysteries of Him and the wonders of the world so that I could boast and say how "spiritually mature" I've gotten.

I now need to stop, and surrender it all. Nothing in this world can make me happy, except God. Not even a wonderful girlfriend can keep me happy, if God is not in the relationship.