A giant sigh has been exhaled through the experience of this lavender growth and lack thereof. Everything was fine. I thought I was caring for it fine, and by most of the visible growth, you would probably think the same.

Here’s the confusing part. While three sprouts are rocking and growing, there’s at least 2 more sprouts that are wilting and falling over. I am beyond shook with those couple of sprouts. 🙂

It all happened around the time I threw a few granules of plant food into the mix. Was I not supposed to do that????

The lack of growth and odd growth at the same time, has me wondering. I’m a little disappointed, but I’m willing to keep doing the right things: water it daily to keep the soil moist and keep it in the window so it gets a good dose of light. I haven’t thrown it any more plant food since that first time, but if it ever lets me know, I will be ready to throw some more in there. 🙂

This plant has paralleled my life from the beginning it seems. When I first planted it and I had seen the growth, it got me excited. Like, YES! I’m doing something right. Seeing growth is so fun, whether it’s a plant or in our own lives.

Now, as I consider this confusing time of growth and non-growth, I see how even for me, continuing to make progress in turning to the Lord first through my battle against anxiety and maybe even depression, I feel like maybe it’s not growth at all. Why am I going through this hard time? I thought I was a mature Christian for my age.

The thing is, like this plant, we can be both. When facing trials we think we ought not face, it can be a real challenge because we’re not only facing life’s circumstances, but the feelings that come along with facing them to begin with, also.

Mature Christians face trials as new Christians and non-Christians do. I’ve found encouragement through my friends who I’ve shared with and going to His Word and showing up even in those difficult times (when it’s easier to not show up) makes all the difference.

We don’t have all the answers or know why we go through seasons exactly, but we do know that the purpose in all of our trials are to grow us and bring us closer to the Father.

While I grow in my dependence on God to encourage and spur me onward, I still struggle and feel like a wilted flower waiting for the sun and water to bring me back to life. I find deep encouragement and peace when I go to Him though through prayer and meditation.

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Today’s encouragement for us:

• Depend on the Lord. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
• Keep doing the next right thing.
  • Pray. Even when we don’t know what to say, He wants to hear from us – just go to Him. (Romans 8:26-27)
  • Read His Word daily, especially when you’re in a slump at any point during the day. (Psalm 23, 121:1)
  • Fellowship with others. (1 John 1:7)
• Struggles don’t define you.
  • You depend on the Lord, not your struggles. Don’t give them power. (Psalm 55:22)

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I hope you have a great Monday and week!