Thank you oh so very much for sharing your testimony and insights and thank you for your encouragements, dear brother in Christ!
Even cherished spiritual growth seems to be agonizingly slow.
I suspect it is that way with most of us though I have witnessed the type you mention who go from worldly sinner to really trusting God in a heartbeat. But God's timing for each and every individual one of us is perfect. If we need rest, He'll make sure we have it. If we need to be pruned, He'll see it done. If we need trials and tribulations to work patience in us, He'll let it be.
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. - James 1:2-4
He is truly "Our Father Who art in heaven." He treats us as a father treats his beloved toddler. The father always loved the toddler, but the toddler learns to love and trust the father.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together. - Romans 8:14-17
Tough love when we need it, gentle love when we need it.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. - Romans 8:28
To God be the glory!