When facing a time of growth, I want to rush the process. When I was younger, I couldn’t wait to reach the milestone to start shaving my legs. My sisters longed for the day when they got a full cup of juice with breakfast, instead of just half a glass (another coveted milestone).
However, each segment of the growth process has its own beauty and value, which cannot be appreciated if we rush through it or try to force the growth. A green tomato, picked early and forced to ripen indoors is not the same as a vine-ripened, succulent, bright red tomato, bursting warm in your mouth, flavored by the sun. And now that I have your mouth watering for a summer tomato, I apologize that we cannot engineer a tomato to have that same natural flavor in the middle of winter. Although my friends south of the equator are enjoying those summer fruits and veggies right now!
No matter what season we are in, growing pains are not fun and they can weigh on us to a degree that becomes overwhelming. The past few months have been rough. Tough. Challenging. Iron Rose Sister Ministries is in a season of strategic growth, which implies a time of personal growth as well. I have found myself wanting to rush the process.
Can you make our path clear? What kind of growth can we expect? When is this going to get better?
Even by wanting to define how the growth will take place, I complicate the issue. My patience becomes the thorn that hinders the growth.
Before sharing in the Common Threads to close out the month, I want to remind us of a key verse that help us keep our priorities straight, especially as we simplify for growth.
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:33-34
And here are my Common Threads for the month. Thanks for joining me in prayer as I
• Grow in trust
• Remove the thorn of impatience during the growth process
• Hold myself accountable with others so that I don’t lose sight of seeking God and His kingdom first, especially when facing a long to-do list or lacking in trust.
#IronRoseSister, #simplify, #priorities, #CommonThreads