My family went on a short road trip last week. We took a ferry to Delaware and drove up to Longwood Garden. There, God revealed His wonderful creations, all kinds of flowers, plants, and creatures. Comfort, by reassuring me that just like these vegetation humans are made individually special, was the first relief God gave me. As time progressed, throughout the entire family reunion in fact, I knew God was working in me to both redeem and restore me.
Many people likely wonder what happens to someone that makes them who they are. They notice a change in behavior, or a difference in ethics.
For me, my journey consists of constantly making sure I am honest with myself - if I am not, it will inevitably show, in others, in me, in my circumstances... One thing I have been wrestling with is this idea that Christians are one type, in that we must live by strict regulations, abide by certain laws, or continuously monitor ourselves for poor attitudes, behaviors, etc. As a kid I thought that I had to be someone I was not - I tried to modify my acts based on what I thought was good in my parents' eyes.
To a degree, their expectations for me to live with excellent morals was not bad, but I realized that trying to fit into an image was not only exhausting, but not right. It didn't feel good to separate myself from what I wanted to do, because I ended up not enjoying or living life the way God intends me to live.
Going through this process of thinking that being a rose is better than being a lily is something we can understand. Maybe because one gets more appreciation, or attention, than the other. Therefore, we assume that it is better, or higher. Walking through the Longwood Garden reassured in me that everything is made beautiful in His time, that we don't have to strive. We just have to be.
I see now how we are like flowers, as a growing woman. Right before my eyes, God adorns my heart, makes it strong, and makes it resilient. There is nothing to add, nothing to take away from - just be.
Many people likely wonder what happens to someone that makes them who they are. They notice a change in behavior, or a difference in ethics.
For me, my journey consists of constantly making sure I am honest with myself - if I am not, it will inevitably show, in others, in me, in my circumstances... One thing I have been wrestling with is this idea that Christians are one type, in that we must live by strict regulations, abide by certain laws, or continuously monitor ourselves for poor attitudes, behaviors, etc. As a kid I thought that I had to be someone I was not - I tried to modify my acts based on what I thought was good in my parents' eyes.
To a degree, their expectations for me to live with excellent morals was not bad, but I realized that trying to fit into an image was not only exhausting, but not right. It didn't feel good to separate myself from what I wanted to do, because I ended up not enjoying or living life the way God intends me to live.
Going through this process of thinking that being a rose is better than being a lily is something we can understand. Maybe because one gets more appreciation, or attention, than the other. Therefore, we assume that it is better, or higher. Walking through the Longwood Garden reassured in me that everything is made beautiful in His time, that we don't have to strive. We just have to be.
I see now how we are like flowers, as a growing woman. Right before my eyes, God adorns my heart, makes it strong, and makes it resilient. There is nothing to add, nothing to take away from - just be.
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