Green Thumb

Green Thumb

I must confess I do not have a green thumb. Any plants that has been put into my hands have all died instead of growing. This is not because I wanted them to die but because I didn’t know how to care for them appropriately. Plants are all different. They need specific directions in how to care for them. Not all plants need the same amount of water or sunlight. They are all unique with diverse ways of caring for them. Some plants take months, even years before one can visually see them sprouting. But if I don’t take the time to learn how to care for them my plants will continue to die. Recently, I went on a field trip with my fourth-grade class to Agrifest. There our class planted tomatoes plants. I was able to take 3 of them home with me. I was intentional that day in asking questions about how to care for them. Here is a picture of them when I first received them.

Here is what they look like now!

So far so good, they are alive and well. Yay! However, I have had to be intentional about caring for them. My tomato plants have stirred up in me a hunger to learn more about gardening and things of that nature. Now I won’t be starting anything huge however, taking small steps at a time to have a garden of my own someday soon.

Life is the same way! Life is all about growing! We were built to thrive through growth. There are so many different areas we can all grow in. Moreover, it takes intentionality on our part. One of the laws from John C. Maxwell book, The 15 Laws of Growth, states that growth doesn’t just happen! You must be intentional about allowing your life to develop a green thumb for growth!

In the second part of John 10:10 (Amplified version) Jesus said: I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]. I truly believe that we are not only called to live a free life in Jesus but to grow to our fullest potential as people! This is what I believe the abundance comes into play, when we are growing. There are so many areas we can be intentional about.

Here are some of the areas I have been investing in over the last few years:

• Spiritual Growth: growing into a relationship with God through prayer, reading God’s Word, fellowshipping and serving others.

• Personal Growth: including love language, my temperament and personality analysis (DISC, the 5 Temperaments, 5 Love Languages)

• Finances

• Leadership Development

• Relationships

• Communication

• Marriage

• Home Projects/Repairs/Maintenance

• Gardening

• Car Maintenance

• Coaching/Facilitating

None of these areas have been easy for me. Specially the ones that are out of my comfort zone. John Maxwell, says that if we are growing, we are always going to be out of our comfort zone. I totally agree! Every step we take in any area of growth will push us out of our comfort zone. That is where true growth starts to happen! These areas of growth all take time to develop. It is a process. They take intentionality and hard work to be able to show forth fruits. However, all the challenging work is so worth it! You are worth it my friend! Every area that I have been investing into to grow needs a plan and a spirit of learning. Without a plan of growth, things do not happen. You must be intentional! In any area of growth, you need a plan in place to start moving towards your growth! Growth doesn’t just happen!

So, my question for you is, do you have a green thumb in life? Are you growing or are you stagnant? Do you have a plan of growth? Believe me when I tell you that, you are worth the investment! Changes in life happen however, growing in life is all on you! Make the choice to start today! It is time to grow my friend!

“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional!” John C. Maxwell