Whether you’re waiting for those sweet strawberries in your garden or those equally sweet abs after months of sit-ups, waiting for something to grow can be hard and sometimes frustrating. When I was little I longed to grow up. I am the youngest of 4 daughters and much of my life has consisted of wishing I was as old as one of my sisters so I could do the things they could do- taking piano lessons, writing in cursive, making a 3 pointer, driving a car, etc. Wanting to be bigger is just part of being little.
Unlike my childhood, I pray that today I can “enjoy the journey.” Instead of always wishing I were somewhere else, I’m trying to embrace the risks and rewards of each day. It’s the slow and steady growth that is often underrated. Often it is during the persisting that we learn the most about ourselves and life.
The growth of this “mission” and our company has been the most challenging period of growth in my life thus far. With most things you are growing, you can have an estimated period of waiting and persisting. An under grad degree is between 4-5 years, a new hair style is 6-12 months, a mortgage free lifestyle is 30 years. In a way I am relieved someone didn’t tell Jason and I the length of time it would have taken us to get to this point. Sometimes it’s better to keep your eyes focussed on the end goal and just keep growing. God shows us just enough to keep going, just enough to keep us plugging along while still taking calculated risks.
Have you ever noticed how dandelions grow very quickly with seemingly little effort. Now think about how long you get to enjoy their simple beauty. Not long. Yet, a mighty sunflower takes it’s time and works hard to lean into the sun’s heat. Sunflowers can take months to grow between 3 and 15 feet high. I long to be that bright, tall sunflower. It’s a longer wait, and involves more exposure to the elements, but a much more beautiful ending, which brings me closer to the Son. So as you grow into the person you were meant to be, ask yourself, are you a dandelion or a sunflower?
Growing tall as a Sunflower is my goal. The closer to the Son as I can get, the better. But I think the journey is going to be exciting. Yipee!