Living things GROW. Today I took time to really ask myself “Am I growing?”. This led to more questions.
As a parent am I becoming wiser? Am I purposely looking for ways to better nurture my kids at their particular stages of life? Do I recognize their changing needs, and am I one step ahead looking for ways to contribute to their growth while supporting healthy independence?
What about as a wife? Am I the wife I once dreamed I would be when I first got married? What new ways might I try show fresh support and appreciation to my husband? Is there daily fruit of my love for him? Is there fresh evidence?
Am I flourishing in my vocation or am I simply getting things done? How could I better serve my team? What is my vision for the next year? Three years? Ten years?
Am I growing and fostering growth in others? Am I growing as a person?
I am most concerned that I GROW in my relationship with Christ. When I prioritize time to get with God, I find the other areas of my life are directly affected.
I look to Him for encouragement by reading scripture, and remember the challenges my kids are facing. I consider how I can encourage them in their personal trials.
I seek God’s presence in solitude, and am reminded that I passed judgment on my husband the day before. I recognize an opportunity to humble myself and make right with a simple “Brad, I was wrong.”
I have a situation that I continue to be frustrated with. I ask God for His take. He shows me that I am operating on my own, outside of His will. He invites me to “clue in” on His bigger picture. Once again, I’m reminded I’m a work in progress. It’s in these moments I choose to GROW.
We have opportunities to grow daily. Even –especially when we mess up. What areas are you growing in? Is there evidence that impacts others in a positive way?
Ask God to reveal areas that you’ve become stagnant in. Look for opportunities to learn and grow. Think about it, our hearts and minds are the only parts of us that have the potential to grow and not deteriorate as we age.
We are never to old to learn. Our hearts and minds are designed to increase in producing good fruit, growing in the likeness of Christ.
“Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will yield fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap and very green, to declare that the Lord is upright…” Psalm 92:13