On How You Can't Outgrow Growing Pains

Because change is a lot for the heart to absorb.

This month, I'm standing in awe, arms opening wide to soak it all in.

My thoughts are spinning. 

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of the beauty of life blooming, color spilling joy into this moment. Looking at the sunshine yellow flowers, I pause to inhale the calm of creation. 

As much as technology can be frustrating to me, for just a moment, my scrambling mind entertains the thought, wonders at the possibilities. 

I linger one thought longer, glancing across the room at the television as it sits heavy by the delicate flowers. For the first time, I notice a sharp contrast between the man-made flat screen that holds moments of time, and the God-breathed beauty that can momentarily slow lives in an attempt to capture creation. 

If only I could DVR these few weeks of my life. Hit pause and slow down and soak up all the waves of life change. Just wade calmly in each moment of friends moving and lives shifting and adventures starting.

In my attempt to soak in, I long to slow down and hug tight until I'm ready for them to go. Laugh long until we've stored up enough joy to merry our souls until we meet again. 

Sometimes I think it might be nice to hit rewind and just dance in that last hour of excitement and anticipation for life's next adventure, just suspend time in one moment before hitting play to experience the next. 

But the truth is, life moves and changes come--sometimes all at the same time--and although there is a man-made solution to alleviate nearly every discomfort, there is no remote control to freeze time when life change comes. 

I used to think that growing up meant growing pains were a thing of the past. 
I suppose I'm not grown up yet.

Lives changing means hearts widening; People moving means arms stretching; Adventure taking means prayers expanding.

And all of these are growing pains for the soul.

No pause button here. Just God. Just faith. Just love in the midst of transition and support in the times of trial.

And although sometimes I'd like to hit pause for just a moment, I ride the roller coaster of change that is my life in full motion. 

I sit still, power out,  in the realization that while DVR captures lives, no man-made remote could ever control hearts like the Father. It is God who gives beauty in the midst of chaos and sends gifts of comfort that slow souls and help soak up these precious moments. It is the beauty of God's creation and provision in our lives that gives rest in rapid change.

And with another glance, I see fragile flowers standing tall and speaking beauty and pressing pause for at least this moment. 

In His word, I find alleviation for the growing pains of life. 

"Be still and know that I am God." -Psalm 46:10