Good to Grow

By Veronica Lynn

Veronica Lynn

In this blog, I’m pleased to present the writing of Veronica Lynn.  Veronica is an emerging author living in San Antonio, Texas, and a personal friend of mine.  She is currently working on her first inspirational book about love and marriage.  I’ve had the honor of reading the work-in-progress and it is amazing.  She writes with great honesty, truth and grace.  While we anxiously await it’s release, please enjoy this encouraging word.  You can find more on Veronica at facebook.com/veronica.lynn.54

 

“If I knew then what I know now…” is a sentiment most everyone can relate to. Wisdom is typically the byproduct of age and experience. For that reason, I was surprised today when my twenty-year old self talked sense into thirty-year old me-via a column I authored ten years ago.

My article said:

“I recently had this conversation with God:

Me: “I can barely keep up with all the changes going on in my life. I got a job and then I lost it. I overcame one difficulty and then two more came up. I finally adjusted to one schedule and now I have to come up with a completely new one. When does all this craziness end?”

God: “Never.”

Me: “Never, God? How can that be????”

God: “Anyone who has stopped growing has ceased to live. I love you too much to let you quit. I will help you.”

I have often wished that I could mature past the point of ever struggling again. But that is unrealistic.

If a woman wants multiple babies, she must be willing to endure labor, and all the pain that comes with it, multiple times.

God has placed destiny inside of me. He wants to use me to deliver His love to the world. When it comes to my future, I always have two options: Nurture the dream inside of me or abort God’s plan for me. As for me, I choose life.

Whenever I feel emotionally exhausted, I must remember that Jesus is my rest. On all the occasions God will require me to ignore my pain and keep pushing.  I need to believe that God is my strength. Every time I partner with Christ to labor and deliver, God will give me something beautiful that will bless the world. As Jesus said, “A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.” (John 16:21 NIV)

In Christ, my labor is never in vain and the gift always exceeds the cost.

I am ready, Lord! Here, I grow!”

 

My previous column captured my attention because it read like headlines taken from today- though the original story is a decade old.

Just this year, I was hired by a company and then laid off after just three months.  I have had to find the strength to simultaneously release old dreams while embracing new goals. In doing so, I have not been immune to personal loss, physical ailments, and relationship complications.

In the midst of tribulation, it is easy to succumb to self-doubt and sadness. I had been combating self-pity all morning- which is why my old column was such a godsend. I needed the perspective.

While the challenges in each decade of my life have spanned from minor issues like learning to ride a bike to big deals like a broken heart- their overall context has been the same: opportunity for growth.

Throughout the gamut of circumstances I have faced, in the midst of all my emotional upheaval, God has remained constant. Jesus revealed Himself to me when I was a child. God sustained me through my teenage years and He blessed my 20’s. Christ is leading me through my 30’s and He will guide me through every decade that is yet to come.

In Christ, we have nothing to fear. God will never leave us or forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV)  The Lord will fulfill His purpose for us. (Psalm 138:8 NIV). Through God, we have hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

Jesus offers you His friendship every day. Walk with Him-always.

“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18 NIV)

2017-10-10T10:08:12-05:00 July 10th, 2013|Encouragement, New Author|0 Comments

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