I do not remember really 'meeting' Carol.. but I was told I needed to talk to her before I even knew who she was... after seeing a picture of her, I knew her as the sister who always smiled at people. I do not think I have ever seen her without a smile..
This summer I got to know her better, specifically one warm day in July as we walked a good part of 15 miles together one day...
Tonight as I saw her, and we reflected back we talked about some of the experiences we had... I told her in the moment I did not realize the impact of what my experience was and that it would have on me. I told her it was in sharing and testifying of what I had learned from it that I found the power behind what I learned...
Similarly, Carol reminded me of the following quote, "You can now more force the spirt to respond then you can force a bean to sprout, or an egg to hatch before it's time. You can create a climate to foster growth, nourish, and protect; but you can not force or compel: you must await the growth."
She shared how she tried to create one that was not for her to have, but yet when she was able to step back and look out, that is where her experience was born...
We shared with each other how we anticipated learning or growing in one area, by learning, studying, and praying, yet that was not the growth given...
Tonight, I was yet again reminded... creating the climate does not always determine when or what growth will take place... it only guarantees there will be growth... there are factors I do not control for the growth of my seeds -- temperature, light, and even the time to seed before the last frost... So wether my experiences are like the radishes germinating after 5-7 days or the parsnip at 14-21 days... If I have done my part, the seeds will grow... but because I am not the farmer of my life, I do not decide when these seeds are planted, rather I am the field hand. I trust the farm knows what he's planted and will direct me in my labors...
No comments:
Post a Comment