My journey includes growing personally and professionally.  I was born again at age 8 when my Navy dad was stationed overseas.  Jesus compares 2 kinds of people in Matthew 7: 24-27, the wise and the foolish.  Many times over the course of my life I have identified with the foolish man.  I thank God that He left in the written record those who displayed foolishness; Sampson, David, the woman at the well, the paralytic at the pool.  Even the Apostle Paul, with his pedigree, intellect and influence, experienced the tension between the flesh and the Spirit (Romans 7: 17-20).  God knows us inside and out and still pursues us in love (Romans 5:8).  James highlights growth through the testing of our faith, a process that results in maturity (James 1: 2-8).  Individuals and families develop in stages.  Much of my growth took place in several contexts: from an Army private functioning as a mechanic to an Army Major functioning as a Chaplain, from a licensure candidate to a fully licensed marital and family therapist, from a single young person to a married father of 4 and grandfather of 1.  Scripture and prayer not only inform my personal life but my therapy practice as well.  God expects growth and superintends the process (John 15: 1-8).  The root system grows in the dark and fruit system emerges in the light.  Individuals grow from dependence to independence to interdependence (1 Peter 2:2, Ephesians 4:15).  Therapy supports this growth mindset, despite the challenges of fear, doubt, or trauma.