I kill everything I touch.
...Every plant, that is. I've been given so many potted plants over the years, and have killed every single one. Knowing this, a family member once gave me a house plant that, as my sister said, "even you can't kill." Guess what, y'all? It's dead.
Now, I have a baby miniature rose bush sitting in the windowsill of my kitchen in an adorable little tea cup. Why bother? Because I'm DETERMINED to change. I told myself that if I can keep this alive, I can do anything.
Days go by, I forget to water it, so it dries out and I desperately nurse it back to life. I despair as the original rose buds fall off, and watch all the changes of new and old growth. Babying it seems to do no good, though. Even when I water the darned thing daily, progress is slow. It's been several months since bringing the rose bush home, and in a moment of despair, I cry because there are no new rose blooms.
Why do I tell you this?
Why bother announcing to the world that I have two black thumbs?
Because I know I struggle with something that many others do also: I'm impatient.
If something doesn't seem to change right away, I get disappointed. When everything crumbles despite my best laid plans, it frustrates me. I push myself to be and do better, to wake up early and accomplish my to-do list. When I fall asleep unexpectedly, I just get mad that I've wasted time, forgetting (or, rather, ignoring) that my body is crying out for rest. As I fall into old habits and can't seem to keep a grip on my life, it seems all I can do is cry.
Why? It's easy to forget that life is a journey.
It's easy to let doubt creep in to the corners of my mind and leave me sinking back into the familiar hole of depression that's always a step away. It's easy to let exhaustion cloud my optimism. It's easy to run faster and faster in my hamster wheel until I collapse.
Psalms 33:16, ESV
What's the best way to combat this "impatience virus"? There are several. In my opinion, the first is being honest about it, both with yourself and with those closest to you. (You know, the ones who keep you accountable and say things you need but don't always want to hear? Yeah. Treasure them!)
The second is reaching out for help and encouragement...to be vulnerable. It's a hard thing! Yet, that is THE MOST important step an impatient person can take. The Bible is ridiculously clear that we were not meant to live life alone, and following that is key. We all need those beacons of light in our lives who will remind us that the battle isn't over because of a small setback.
Impatience often leads to frustration and disappointment, and disappointment leads to (in my case) beating myself up for something that may not even be within my control. Life is a journey, not a sprint.
Respect the journey. Don't give in to the voices telling you that "you're not there yet, so you might as well give up!" Those voices are lies! Treat impatience like a virus and work through it by reaching out.. And don't be too hard on yourself. As my dear friend reminded me today, "Progress is progress, sister!"
Just because we don't see the rose blooms doesn't mean that we're not moving forward.
Growth is still happening.
Now, I have a baby miniature rose bush sitting in the windowsill of my kitchen in an adorable little tea cup. Why bother? Because I'm DETERMINED to change. I told myself that if I can keep this alive, I can do anything.
Days go by, I forget to water it, so it dries out and I desperately nurse it back to life. I despair as the original rose buds fall off, and watch all the changes of new and old growth. Babying it seems to do no good, though. Even when I water the darned thing daily, progress is slow. It's been several months since bringing the rose bush home, and in a moment of despair, I cry because there are no new rose blooms.
Why do I tell you this?
Why bother announcing to the world that I have two black thumbs?
Because I know I struggle with something that many others do also: I'm impatient.
If something doesn't seem to change right away, I get disappointed. When everything crumbles despite my best laid plans, it frustrates me. I push myself to be and do better, to wake up early and accomplish my to-do list. When I fall asleep unexpectedly, I just get mad that I've wasted time, forgetting (or, rather, ignoring) that my body is crying out for rest. As I fall into old habits and can't seem to keep a grip on my life, it seems all I can do is cry.
Why? It's easy to forget that life is a journey.
It's easy to let doubt creep in to the corners of my mind and leave me sinking back into the familiar hole of depression that's always a step away. It's easy to let exhaustion cloud my optimism. It's easy to run faster and faster in my hamster wheel until I collapse.
Psalms 33:16, ESV
"The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength."
What's the best way to combat this "impatience virus"? There are several. In my opinion, the first is being honest about it, both with yourself and with those closest to you. (You know, the ones who keep you accountable and say things you need but don't always want to hear? Yeah. Treasure them!)
The second is reaching out for help and encouragement...to be vulnerable. It's a hard thing! Yet, that is THE MOST important step an impatient person can take. The Bible is ridiculously clear that we were not meant to live life alone, and following that is key. We all need those beacons of light in our lives who will remind us that the battle isn't over because of a small setback.
Ecclesiastes 4:10, ESV
"For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"
Impatience often leads to frustration and disappointment, and disappointment leads to (in my case) beating myself up for something that may not even be within my control. Life is a journey, not a sprint.
Respect the journey. Don't give in to the voices telling you that "you're not there yet, so you might as well give up!" Those voices are lies! Treat impatience like a virus and work through it by reaching out.. And don't be too hard on yourself. As my dear friend reminded me today, "Progress is progress, sister!"Just because we don't see the rose blooms doesn't mean that we're not moving forward.
Growth is still happening.
Psalms 33:20, ESV
"Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our Help and our Shield."
Don't be shy - If this message has impacted you in any way, let me know!
Please leave a comment and subscribe (hit the “follow me!” button in the sidebar) to boost my following and receive new posts before the crowd!
Comments
Post a Comment
Leave a comment and tell me what you’re thinking!