Image courtesy Maggie T @ flickr
It started with a gentle tug, a quiet whisper.
Kim, my love, it’s time.
Take my hand, it’s time to move into the plans I have made for you.
Thanks, I say, but I can’t really go there, because, well, I’m afraid.
I know I’ve told you time and again how unfulfilled I am, how discontented I am, but now that you are offering to throw open the window to let your glorious light shine on and through me to grow me, well . . .
It’s not time.
I’m not ready.
What if I fail?
What if it isn’t what I want after all?
He replies that I just need to step out in faith.
Easy for you, I think, and then gasp at my flip reply, and quickly ask forgiveness.
The months go by, and I feel I am withering on the vine.
Again.
A job I can do extremely well, yet brings forth from me no hallelujahs, no joyful sounds unto the Lord.
Does any job do that, I wonder?
Am I just expecting too much?
And He knocks again, and says I must grow, that I must stretch and reach beyond the walls of my once warm and comfortable greenhouse that has become stifling and constricting.
And finally, all out of fight, I relent.
And just as He promised, He threw open the doors and the windows, and showered me with His light and the living water of His spirit.
And I prayed. And hoped beyond hope that there really was joy to be found where I’m growing.
And you know what I have discovered? There is.
I now invite you to step out into this wild and wonderful world with me, and bloom brightly and bountifully, just as He designed you.
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If you would like to read more of my story, you can find it here. If you are not finding fulfillment where you are, I encourage you to find out what makes you tick, what trips your trigger, and start down that path. It is well worth the trip!
Every Friday I join Lisa-Jo over at The Gypsy Mama for her Five Minute Friday prompts. It’s an opportunity for each of us to stop, drop, and write.
We write bold and beautiful and free. Unscripted and unedited. We just write without worrying if it’s just right or not.
Won’t you join us? Follow the link above to read and be encouraged by what others have to share. We’d love to hear from you as well, so feel free to leave a comment today. Thanks for coming by!
Sharing at No Ordinary Blog Hop today
This was such an encouraging post… I’m sharing some of these same struggles and your words were just the lift I needed. Thank you♥
I am so glad you found a lift here. We have so much in common with one another, more than we realize, until we start to chat and open up.
I encourage you to follow the link in the post to read the rest of my story, and to pick up a copy of Cure for the Common Life, by Max Lucado. Not only is it inspiration for you, but he has a chapter on helping your children as well. I didn’t realize until I started on this new journey that I had been kind of a negative role model for my kids, ie, your job is your job, and it just isn’t very fulfilling, and that’s that… Ack. Working very differently on that now, and my hubbie says he has never seen me happier. Have faith-let go of your roots and lift your face to the Son!
I could totally relate with your post today. Thanks for sharing it!
I found myself nodding along as I read your post. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
What is it about being fearful that resonates so amongst us? I always figured I was in the minority with my dissatisfaction and feeling rooted in place by my fear, but I hear from so many women who are experiencing similar stirrings.
So glad you ladies have all stopped by. Let’s celebrate one another today as we bravely take a step out of our comfort zones!
Love this post. It is so beautiful and something I can completely relate too. I’m in a place of discovery and trust right now, hoping I’m brave enough to make the leap but unsure at the same time. Thank you for your encouraging words.
Lindsey,
Be sure to surround yourself with folks who will be supportive and will help push you lovingly out of the nest, lol. They are also the same ones who will comfort you when you fall and skin your knee, but will still gently help you move yourself forward.
Oh yes, I’m right there with you! Loved your 5 minute post today. Growing and stretching – it is hard but it is good.
Sometimes it’s hard to remember that the growth is good. Especially when the growing pains are intense…
Thanks for coming by, Jamie.
Twitter: JenniferCamp1
says:
Kim, Oh, how your words resonate with me. I am moved by your transparency here, and the encouragement you give us to reach out and trust, that our Father, our Gardener-Creator, has a good, good plan. Thank you so much. (I wrote about growth today using the metaphor of a garden, too.)
Jennifer, your kind words make me blush. I was encouraged this past spring, when I couldn’t find my way, by a life/career coach, and the process has changed my life. God does have a plan for us. He waits so patiently for us, and wants us to work with the strengths and talents with which He gifted each of us so uniquely. As I noted in my reply to Diane above, I invite you to follow the link in my post that tells my story, and I hope that you find more help and encouragement there. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thank you, Kim! How true!
Fear is one of the most crippling emotions.
And we often fear exposing our fear to others.
How comforting and encouraging when we discover others experience the same…
and that very realization seems to help dissolve the fears.
Thank you for fearlessly sharing yourself with us!
May God continue to bless you!
Hi Caroline,
You are always able to go right to the heart of a conversation. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your wisdom.
oh, i’ll step into that wild and wonderful world with you!!! bloom on!
great post, beautiful words. . . now to remember it is by Him and Him alone
have a beautiful weekend!
steph
Steph,
Woohoo – glad to have you along! I love how Five Minute Friday gives us the opportunity to go visiting, and how we often “coincidentally” come upon something that just resonates with us, that helps or encourages us. I also just love having everyone come by and share thoughts with me and each other. Let’s scatter those seeds of hope!