Growing Gracefully

I love to learn, and believe that if we’re not learning in life we’re not doing something right. I’ll be the first to raise my hand though, to confess I’m sometimes not overly excited about the manner in which the lesson is taught, or should I say the extreme it takes for me to learn. Sometimes the lessons are quite painful and I fail the tests quite miserably - multiple times. And...just maybe I’m a slow learner. 

When revelation hits home, for me, it unfolds kind of like a budding rose. Slowly. Quietly. Deliberately. And, the most encouraging thing about it all is that God is the One unfolding the rose. He’s the teacher and He knows exactly how much unfolding to do in a day and to what level of difficulty. It’s certainly a moment when I’m thankful for His  patience and gentleness. 

I am happy to know that God is all about making us more like Him, and that He doesn’t expect it to happen immediately. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day! I believe there’s a reason God refers to His work on our life behaviors as fruit of the Spirit. 

Fruit doesn’t just appear out of thin air! 

A seed is first planted, a plant is then established, and only after that does it begin to produce fruit. Even then, there is a process to the growth of the actual piece of fruit: fruit setting, growth, maturation and ripening. Every good gardener knows patience is required and they must continue to do the work without seeing immediate results in order to get a bountiful, delicious crop. 

We are also called children of God. 

Children don’t come forth knowing how to walk, talk or identify their colors, shapes or ABC’s. 

They must be patiently taught through repetition and under the guidance of a gentle, patient teacher. 

If you’re like I am and become discouraged when you make the same mistakes over and over, then this will be good news to you too. 

We’re all going to have struggles in certain areas, but that doesn’t mean we are hopeless or unable to learn. Someone else might learn quicker than we do, but it’s so ok; we’re each wonderfully and fearfully made - differently. We’re all loved, the apple of God’s eye and capable of becoming all He wants us to be too. 

There is an unique plan and purpose for each of our lives to unfold into the masterpiece God has planned...and it won’t happen in a single day or within our own power. 

Learn to be patient, to take one day at a time, committing your way to God, living righteously, and being yielding to the Lord’s gentle work. It sure takes the pressure off of us when we learn to rely upon His abilities and timing instead of our own. 

Trust in Him. 

Delight yourself in Him. 

Commit your way to Him. 

Rest in Him. 

We can come forth as mature saints of God and ripened fruit ready to impact our world. It will take more than a day or ten, and it will come with slip-ups and fails along the way...but all things are possible with Him by our side. 

We don’t have to be fearful of our outcome when it’s in His capable hands. 

We don’t need a How To Grow Fruit for Dummies book or a cheat sheet, God’s way is for us to go through our days attentive to and willing to change according to His promptings - with faith, growing gracefully. 

That’s the plan, my friend. Be encouraged and blessed today! Go and grow ~