Tuesday, January 11, 2011

The Beauty of Growth


I'm proud of her, my friend.

God asked her to do something tough and while it would be easier to ignore His call, she listens and pushes aside her fear and obeys His leading. She does as much as He gives her and waits, living every day with a burden she'd rather get rid of. Though she wishes she didn't have to, she deals with the pain, trusting God to make good of it and moves forward in an uncertain journey, strictly because He tells her to.

And wow, does she shine.

It's obvious God is working. His touch shows. Her faith grows and the beauty it brings out in her makes me a little jealous of the burden He's placed on her.

" . . . to refuse to bend our shoulders to carry a load is to miss a new opportunity for growth."

J.R. Miller from Streams in the Desert

She gives me incentive to say yes when God asks something hard of me. She shows me pain provides growth and growth displays His glory. She gives me courage, helping me see there is nothing to fear in hard times.

She makes me want to grow.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Romans 5:3-5

Now it's your turn. What thoughts did this quote inspire in you? Let us into your head and link up below.



5 comments:

Marsha Young said...

Tami, Good for you for honoring your friend as she perserves through this growth opportunity.

And thank you for your kind comments recently. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the IOW - on my post "Carrying the Load."
God bless you - Marsha Young

Karen said...

They can be a big inspiration, those people who are allowing God to work in their lives. Thanks for a great thought to think about today.

Bonnie W said...

Tami, your friend is a special lady! Few people have the level of trust she does to listen so completely and with so much love for Him.

Thank God He loves us enough to bring those special people across our path to "show" us how to live rather than just telling us!

I really enjoyed your post today. I haven't participated in IOW for a long time, but I'm glad I popped in today!

Loni said...

So enjoyed reading about your friend. These kinds of friends are a treasured blessing!

Sorry I am linking up late. I was out of town for two days (got to meet author Carol Kent and be a part of her DVD taping of her newest book). I had the post automatically go up.

Thank you so much for hosting!

Denise J. Hughes said...

I'm so thankful for those I know who carry such burdens of pain with grace - my mom is one such person.