By: Jackie Brindle
Good things take time.
Let me put it to you this way, would you rather someone cook your chicken in the microwave or would you want it where it was in the smoker 12 hours on low?
Sometimes the here and now answers and the here and now satisfaction can be all that the focus is on in our lives.
I am guilty of it.
I want a transformation in my workouts to lose the muffin top in 30 minutes. But that’s not how that works.
I want the book I’ve been working on to be something that I can put out there like yesterday, but that’s not how that works either.
I want my kids to be obedient and respectful instantly but there again, that’s not how that works either.
Are you getting my drift?
Things that are worth the end result is a process. It’s a low and slow process that can have many ingredients added to it, as you achieve your goals or dreams.
I can’t help but think, even now, this day and age we all want the quick fix instead of focusing on the process. I believe this season of life has to be for a reason. The fact is, there is a ton of disappointments, pain, confusion, despair, and setbacks. I get that. But let me speak to that.
I can think of a time in my life where God had broken me down. He had to. I didn't realize it then, but I felt entitled and full of pride that every teaching job I applied for, I was going to be hired but that wasn’t the case. It took some humble pie, seeking God, God working on my positive attitude, and learning so that would overflow into the workspace, when it was time!
It took some doors closing, some disappointments but with every single hardship came a person who was more valuable to me than the end goal. People- relationships- became the reward, despite taking the long route to the end goal. It was a process of me searching for that place to land, yet God had His mighty hand on the process all along. Even if it felt so hard, my pride knocked down, the wind knocked out of me… I was holding onto the one thing that could carry me. Hope. Hope, in the fact that God would still be faithful to answer my prayers.
Did I have doubt? Yes. Did I want instant prayer results?… yes! Who doesn’t though? Who wants to be told --- you may have to wait a few years before you get what you want -- what you are working towards? Does anyone get that answer and say “ok” with a smile? I don’t know. So in a way, I am glad that there was a process to becoming the teacher God wanted me to be and still --- I am not all knowing-- and still I am working on becoming better at everything I do. I don’t think that will ever change in my profession or as a person.
Is there a process to becoming the mother, wife, sister, friend, daughter, teacher, writer, speaker God wants me to be? YES, yes and yes! So I encourage you to embrace the process--- right where you are today, too. Find something to celebrate!
The process. In Carol Dweck’s growth mindset research, she said there is power in the word YET. I am not where I want to be yet but in the spaces filled with yet I am becoming just who I am meant to be and so are you! We are to celebrate the failures and the "not yet"moments because without them, we wouldn't be the person we are meant to be!
YAY -- for mistakes because that means I am learning --- you are growing and learning too! And as a parent, I have a lot to celebrate because I fall down a lot!
Also, life might feel like you are waiting on a red light to turn green. I get that, too. Here’s what I’ve done that’s helped me take the focus of being at the red light. Asking God, “What are you teaching me? What am I to learn from this so I can help others who go through this part of the process of life, too? What can I be thankful for in the moment?”
I realize that inviting God into the process is the best part of my life! It’s like releasing all the parts I am juggling and can’t hold onto, in my control, and giving it over to the ONE and ONLY who IS in complete control.
If you are having a hard time today. Look up. I hope you find something to be thankful for in the process of becoming. I strongly believe that having that heart of gratitude can help so much to snap out of wanting that instant reaction, response, dream job, and so on. Celebrate where your at, the mistakes, the learning, the growing --- and yes, the process of it all.
I hope you take the stance of thanksgiving along with me. For me, thanksgiving allows me to open up my heart to accept that where I am, IS exactly where I am meant to be. And here and now -- Celebrate and give thanks for life today! To breathe, to call a friend, to give to others, to see your kids work out their differences and get along!
I am reminded to embrace life and squeeze the most out of each moment because you can never go back to today. If today is all we have, then I dare you to trust that God’s got a purpose and plan, and will be faithful to show up, in His beautiful timing!
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven.”
Vs. 11 - “He has made everything beautiful in its time."
Let’s relish in the fact that there isn’t an instant path to success, achievements, “the next step”, the end of the day, or the dream. Let’s be glad that God loves us so much, that He’s cooking up a home cooked, mouth watering, savor the flavor meal so that you know…. Only God could make life this good! He takes the ingredients that didn’t make sense at first and turns it into a masterpiece! God’s not done working on us, yet! Now, that’s some good news!
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you for this moment, this day, right where I am at. I pray that the light of your presence be so bright today as I fully trust you to take care of all my needs. I thank you for so many things in this season, even if it’s not what I want to be walking through, you are still worthy of all praise. I pray that you would use my hardships and struggles for the greater outcome, that only you can see. Thank you, that as I trust you, it becomes my strength.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
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