GROWTH

It is exciting when you get to watch something grow. But when you are the one doing the growing it can be uncomfortable. Let’s go back a little bit so we can get a bit of context. 

About a year ago, maybe a bit before then, God started dealing with my mom about starting a garden. So she just tried a couple of things and we got a bit of crop from it but not much, although she learned a lot from it. So come this past fall/ winter, my mom knew it was time to start getting our yard ready for this wonderful garden we were gonna have. She started preparing the space even though she had no plants or harvest to show for it. She just had faith. 

So here we are in July after months of hard work, many weekends of clearing out the back yard, and getting rid of lots of trees so that sunshine could be on the plants. Then she started buying seeds and seeds and even more seeds. Time went on and mom had done her research and she knew it was time to start planting and sowing her seeds. Now what most people would do (as by most people I mean me LOL) is they would start putting the seed directly into the ground and put water on it and hope everything else would fall into place. But no, there is so much more work you gotta put into it! It started by just getting the seedlings to bloom so they would be strong enough to go into a bigger pot and then once they were strong enough for that, they could then go to another pot until finally, they were strong enough to be outside and start producing a harvest. 

If they would have just gone straight into the ground in seed form, they would have never become what they are now, they had to get to a place of growth where they could withstand the circumstances of nature and where they were going.

And because my mom knew it would be a quick process from the pot to the ground, she knew that she had to get the ground ready. So before she ever started the seedlings or anything, she had the ground ready. She got the ground ready so that when it was time for the harvest, she would be ready.

So the time came, they went into the ground and now her garden is growing and flourishing like crazy and we are getting amazing harvest from it ( as you can see all the greenery from the picture). 

Through this journey, this garden has ministered to us more than you could even imagine. Growth is fun when you are able to pull the squash or watermelon off the vine and eat it, but when you are under the dirt growing and no one sees anything or acknowledges anything, it can be tough. 

1st Timothy 4 towards the end hits on it so well, just keep doing what God has called you to do diligently and you will be rewarded. 

So many times in life we pray for God to grow and strengthen us and then we go through trials and wonder what in the world is happening, but I believe that it is through the trials and the questions and hard work, that our spiritual strength and growth come. Yes, sometimes we can go through seasons and get so much revelation on things God is speaking to us and we feel like we are on cloud nine, but other times not so much. Other times we are having to stay steady on the boat in the middle of the storm or other times we have to stay silent because God said to shut our mouths and let Him work on that loved one who has fallen away from God. Each looks different. Sometimes we wanna go instantly to that spot in the ground we know we are called to and do it, but we don’t realize that we aren’t ready for it yet. 

My generation is an instant-gratification generation. We want it now. We don’t wanna work for it but we just expect it to be handed to us. And although my feelings may not always line up with it, I am so thankful that God doesn’t always let me have it right when I want it. He knows down deep within me that I want to steward it well but I don’t have all the capabilities and skills to do so yet. So He gently waits. He grows me. And one day I will be ready to come out of the pot and into the ground, but until that day comes, I am gonna do what God has given me the gift to do now. 

So I wanna encourage you. Look at each season as a gift. Yes, there may have been hardships and trials in that season but God never left you nor forsaken you. He grew you and kept you. And remember, growing pains are real, but keep your eyes focused on the prize, Jesus. Don’t let your heart grow weary and bitter and cold, but let him fuel you and keep you, and one day your harvest will come. But until then, stay faithful. 

-sav 🙂