Encouragement for When You're Growing, But Not Yet Blooming 🌻
Weekly Grace | Edition #3
*Weekly Grace is your go-to Sunday newsletter for starting each week on a positive note. Each edition offers encouraging words to uplift your spirit, practical tips for a fulfilling week, thoughtful journal prompts, and heartfelt prayers. Begin your week with grace, inspiration, and encouragement.*
Sunday Reflections
About a month ago, I walked into work and found this book on my desk chair. I still have no idea who placed it there, but I am so grateful because this book has put language to many thoughts and feelings I couldn’t express over the past year and a half.
One of my favorite chapters of the book is titled, You Don’t Have to Be Blooming to Be Growing. The author writes, “We cannot rush the appearance of fruit to make ourselves look or feel better. We can’t put on blooms out of season simply because we’re restless for a different season in our lives.”
As someone who went through a season of rushing the appearance of fruit, I want you to know that it’s not worth it.
As unfortunate as it can feel sometimes, you cannot enter a springtime season of harvest without going through the dull season of winter. Trying to push your way through, or better yet, avoid the cold and gloomy seasons of your life doesn’t lead to fruit that remains.
I found this blog post by Oak Spring Farm that lists six reasons why farmers love snow.
It’s amazing how much nature and agriculture relate to our human experience. Maybe that’s why Jesus used it in so many of his parables.
The blog post states that “many insects and disease-causing organisms are unable to survive through freezing conditions, which means we’ll likely have fewer pest-related issues in the next growing season” and “low temperatures can help suppress the growth of some weed species which means less labor for us during the growing season.”
What if this dark, gloomy, unpredictable season of our lives is working for our good?
What if it is making it impossible for bad habits, ungodly belief systems, and negative mindsets to go into your growing season?
What if the winter season that God is allowing you to experience is necessary to suppress the growth of weeds that would be detrimental to your blooming season?
On my YouTube channel, we have been studying the book of Ecclesiastes. In this video, I encouraged everyone to pray and ask God to help them discern what season they are in so they can operate accordingly.
I encourage you to do the same.
Please don’t miss what God has for you today because you’re too focused on your dreams of tomorrow.
'For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. '
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 NLT
Here are three journal prompts that Ruth Chou Simons offers in her book to help you discern if you need to embrace your current limitations or chart a new course:
📝 Am I running away from what God has already given me to do?
📝 Do I see an opportunity or favor that doesn’t require maneuvering and forcing?
📝 Will I sacrifice faithfulness in the areas God has already given me to steward if I pursue more?
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I come before You with a heart full of gratitude for the journey of growth that I am on. Thank You for the progress I have made and the lessons I have learned along the way. Lord, I lift myself up to You as I continue to grow, even though I have not yet seen the full bloom of my efforts.
I pray for patience and perseverance in this season of development. Remind me that You are with me every step of the way, nurturing my growth and preparing me for the perfect time to blossom. Help me to trust in Your timing and to remain steadfast in my faith, knowing that You have a beautiful plan for my life.
Lord, pour out Your wisdom and guidance upon me. Give me the strength to overcome any obstacles that may arise and the courage to keep moving forward. Fill my heart with hope and assurance that the blooming will come, and when it does, it will be more beautiful and fulfilling than I can imagine.
Thank You for Your love and faithfulness. I place my trust in You and commit to walking this path with confidence in Your plans for me.
In Jesus' name, I pray.
Amen.
As you prepare for the week ahead…
Here’s one thing to watch, one thing to read, and one thing to do.
WATCH 💻
Discerning Your Season | Ecclesiastes 3 Bible Study With Me
READ:
Now and Not Yet: Pressing in When You’re Waiting, Wanting, and Restless for More
DO:
Pray and ask God to help you discern what season of life you are currently in. Evaluate the relationships and responsibilities that you have committed to. Is there anything in your life currently that does not make sense in this season?
Praying for a blessed week ahead!
With grace and glory,
Ashtyn 🤍