We
live in a microwave society. We want what we want, and we want it
now! The problem is, growth takes time. Take a look at plants and how
they grow. The seed has to be planted in good soil, watered, and
given the proper amount of sunlight. It takes time for the seed to
sprout and become what it is destined to be. Take away any of those
elements and it will not grow.
If
you are frustrated with your growth (spiritually, physically,
emotionally, socially, financially), take heart. Don’t get frustrated
with the process. Keep the goal in mind and stay focused. Have faith!
When you haven’t seen a child for a few months, aren’t you amazed
with how much they have grown? The funny thing is that the child does
not see what YOU see. Sometimes we are too close to really see the
changes taking place in our own lives.
When
a child is conceived, it takes 9 months for the child to be born. You
can’t rush the process. It is nature’s way of preparing the child for
living outside of the womb. Look at the obstacles you face with
different eyes. God’s timing is perfect. He is always on
time….every time. Quit worrying about how things appear and trust
that God will help you through it. He will help you grow and fulfill
your destiny.
Don’t
try to rush the process. You just might miss the blessing of the
journey. Enjoy the day you have before you and learn to live in the
moment. Your destiny will unfold when it is time.
Life
can be frustrating at times for everyone. We have all faced times
where nothing we were doing was working and failure seemed
inevitable. Recently a young couple I know was trying to get the wife
into a good hospital that would give her physical rehab as well as
psychiatric help.
There
was just one little problem: they had NO insurance. The first
hospital that they were going to have to consider was one that had a
terrible reputation for mistreating patients. Unfortunately there
were few options because of the severity of the need. One quality
hospital surfaced to offer help, but they wanted a tremendous amount
of money. The mother was willing to do what she could, but the
hospital requirements were just too much. They had pretty much given
up all hope of finding a place that would help her get the care that
she needed.
But
God….
When
all of their options had failed, God came through. Out of the blue
the hospital agreed to take her and wasn’t haggling over the money.
We can’t explain it. There is no logical or monetary reason that they
should have helped, but they did.
I
was thinking of a few scriptures (and there are many) that drive this
point home:
Luke
1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God.
2
Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in
all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in
every good work.
Philippians
4:19 For my God will meet ALL your needs according to the riches of
His glory in Christ Jesus.
Next
time your back is against the wall, remember….But God. He is with
us, for us, and able to do what no man can do.
It
has been said that talk is cheap, meaning that people will often tell
you what they think you want to hear. It is a pet peeve of mine when
people do that. I try to be a man of my word. I have not always
succeeded at keeping it, but I don’t intentionally mislead people
with what I say. When I can’t keep my word because of circumstances
out of my control, I at least try to explain it.
I
think I may be in the minority when it comes to keeping my word.
Perhaps it is due to how I was raised. I admit that I am old school
in many respects. I was taught to keep my word. In fact, when I was
caught in a lie, Mom literally washed out my mouth with a bar of
soap. LOL. I never forgot that lesson. Do parents still do that?
Probably not.
Maybe
I am too naive. When someone tells me they are going to do something,
I tend to take them at their word and move on. Sadly, I have been
burned many times in life by people who just tell me what I want to
hear. I have had to learn the old adage the hard way: “Fool me
once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”
I
am eternally optimistic and trusting by nature, but I have learned
that not everyone who calls you friend is a friend. Not everyone who
says they love you really loves you. Their actions will tell the
truth. Pay attention or pay the price.
