"Growing is Painful"

"Growing is painful" is a phrase my mom has often said. It has a much deeper meaning than I ever thought before.

Do you all remember when we were kids and were going through growth-spurts and how painful it was. While I remember it, I didn't have it that often (hence the reason I'm on 5'2") but I vividly remember my brother Tim getting bad growing pains from his growth spurts. His entire body ACHED!! His bones were growing too fast to leave time for strengthening and forming. It was a painful process, even just watching as a by-stander, however it is a neccessary and good process. It leads to a much taller (hopefully) and stronger body.

Ok Val, where are you going with this?

Well, I've discovered recently how the above phrase applies so easily to three other areas of my life. And now you all get to hear about them.

First, in friendships. As we "grow" our friendships will either strengthen or fall apart. I have a "friend" that I've known for years and have told many secrets to and have loved. As we have become adults our lives have drifted but we always kept in touch and called eachother for anything. Well, we have come to a point when we have completely grown a part. Our friendship has wilted away and left dried-out and walked upon leaves. It hurts to admit this. Something that you have invested so much of yourself into can just disipate like this. I know we will always have the memories and we helped eachother grown and get through tough times. I know that it is a natural part of growing...however, "growing is painful".

Second, we had our long awaited meeting today with the elders pertaining to the young adults. To hear everyone's diverse opinions, needs and wants was difficult. Our group has reached a time of growth and it's painful to go through. Not everyone is going to be happy with the decisions the elders make, or with the speed (or lack there of) it takes to get things accomplished. But it is a time of growth for all of us to look within ourselves and find God, then to take that and branch out to make eternal connections with fellow Christians and reach the "lost". "Growing is Painful"

Finally, my family. As we grow, get married and begin families, we are growing in number and in love. This means that we must open up and accept new members into our close knit circle. It's even harder when past experiences have left painful reminders in our hearts. But it must happen and it's good that it happens. I am so happy that Matt has brought my wonderful nephew Ian into my life. Our love as a family has grown with him and he has intergrated our circle of a family. (even if this means that I'm not the baby [ie center-of-attention] anymore) I am equally as happy that Tim found the love of his life Jill. She is a wonderful woman and a great addition to our circle of love. In the process of this we are still growing, now comes the painful part. As this family grows, it must also move apart, literally and figuratively. It will never again be the tiny circle of five living under the same roof, and niether should it be. We are branching out and reaching others so that they too may experience this wonderful circle of love called family. We are growing and must grow and in that growing learn about eachother. (I look forward to seeing this family grow even more with more nephews and nieces) But nevertheless "Growing is Painful"

My prayer is that all of you may experience the good pain that comes from growing. And that we all (myself included) may accept and embrace this pain that will ultimately bring new fresh life and love. May we all be given the patience and strength to endure the pain as well. Mom, Dad, Matt, Ian, Tim, and Jill, I love you all very much.