When I was a kid, I experienced some intense "growing pains" in my legs. I remember tossing and turning in bed trying to fall asleep wrestling with the pain. It hurt.
Things really haven't changed all that much. Growing still hurts.
And I still wrestle with it.
Last night, a sweet friend delivered a note to me that I believe was from the Lord. It said something to the effect of "be patient...I am growing your roots strong and deep." So strange to feel two seemingly conflicting emotions at one time: comfort of knowing the Lord knows and is in control but also a "soul sigh"...a things-are-going-to-sting-for-a-bit sigh.
He won't let me settle for shallow roots. He knows as soon as a stiff wind blows through the plain that I would be uprooted, lifted from the soil and taken away. He loves me more than that.
Just as I love my children more than that. I don't rejoice in the painful discipline that I enact upon them. However, I do rejoice in the fruit that painful discipline brings. Obedience leading to joy.
"My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives."
Hebrews 12:5 - 6
Father, You desire truth in the inmost parts. And, I must truthfully say that this discipline hurts. This growth isn't as joyful in the process. However, I trust You. I believe You are good and that You do good. I believe that You love me and therefore discipline me. You draw my roots further and further down, breaking hardened earth and pushing back dirt lacking proper nutrients. You beckon me deeper to rich, fertile soil that I may be an oak of righteousness, a planting for the display of Your splendor. Lord, sustain me in the growing, in the stretching, in the groaning. You are good and You do good.
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14 comments:
Growing strong roots.
yes, worth the pain.
blessings my sweet friend.
keep going, you can do this.
thank you for sharing...i needed to read this.
praying for you...:)
Ashley
Lauren, my husband and I were in the college group at Beltway many years ago, and somehow I came across your blog. We miscarried about the same time as your first, and I cannot tell you how encouraging your blog has been to me. There have been times when I have just cried reading it because I know exactly what you mean. Thank you so much for your honesty!
Thanks for sharing this. I too have been asked to "be patient" and "trust ME". I have to admit that I am not really enjoying the process either. So thankful that "faithful are the promises."
Blessings my friend...praying with you.
geez, I need to call you...I need some LC this week
It is hard isn't it! Thanks for your encouragement and prayers the other night...I was so blessed and freed( is that a word?) by that! Since then I have been reading 1 Peter 5:6-10 and I love verse 10 the most: And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you! I hope you find rest in that! Praying for you!
Growing hurts a lot. Thanks for your post it uplifted me. The Lord does stuff so we can look more like him and that is sweet, but the process is painful. Matt and I are praying for you guys.
Thank you so much for sharing Lauren. This post has helped me so much. I will think of things differently now as I picture my roots going deeper and stronger through my times of suffering. Hang in there!
Your sister in christ at The Village.
mmm....so good!
Lauren,
These thoughts are beautiful! Thank you for vocalizing this. May you be blessed as your roots are taken deeper into the Lord and His purpose for you, Matt, and your kids.
Dear Lauren,
You are rooted in Christ, and this time of pain will result in you going deeper with Him. That is what you want! Your roots will go down deep into His love ...
Your sister in Christ ...
John 15:2b every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
Ephesians 3:16-18 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Colossians 2:6-7 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and etablished in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Thanks for your insight Lauren. You are so good to share it...I wish it didn't have to hurt so much to grow...but thankfully there is a beautiful purpose. May you continue to see your purpose clearly, even on the hard days. Thinking of you and praying for your family... Aina
I had growing pains, too. I am often reminded of them when growing in life hurts.
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