Next month, our Easter gift, Omurungi, will turn four. Recently, during our evening walks, I watched her glide along the road, her bicycle a seamless extension of her newfound confidence, her older sister beside her. A year ago, this same child was paralyzed by fear, offering every excuse imaginable to avoid her bike. Frustration mounted, and despite our best efforts, nothing seemed to work. Yet, here she was, radiating joy and ease.
How often do we attempt to force progress, only to find ourselves met with resistance?
The change? I simply stepped back. I allowed her to explore her fascination with her little brother’s tricycle. What seemed like a quirky preference was, in fact, a crucial step in building her confidence. It was in letting go that I inadvertently paved the way for her breakthrough.
Growth, I’ve learned, is often a silent, unseen process. It’s in those moments of doubt, when we question our efforts and see no tangible results, that we must trust the journey.
Take my own unexpected foray into the gym. Who would have thought? Yet, after bearing three children, I recognized the need to nurture my body with consistent care. The initial stages were daunting, but with prayerful determination, I persevered, transforming a daunting task into a cherished habit.
Recently, however, the familiar doubts crept in. The desired changes to my “mummy tummy” remain elusive, despite visible progress elsewhere. But here, again, I was reminded: growth is a patient endeavor. Each gym session is not just sculpting my body but fostering resilience, consistency, and patience – values that transcend the gym walls.
As we build our lives, brick by brick, in our families, careers, and spiritual walks, patience is paramount. We must allow growth to unfold, even when it remains hidden beneath the surface, like seeds waiting to sprout. Just as a farmer tends the soil with unwavering faith, we must nurture our dreams and relationships, trusting that the unseen work will bear fruit.
Let us embrace the quiet strength of unseen growth. Let Omurungi’s confident ride remind us of the power of gentle encouragement. Let my own gym journey be a testament to the transformative power of patience.
Ultimately, let us surrender to the rhythm of life, understanding that building, growth, and patience are inextricably linked. By relinquishing the need for instant gratification and embracing the journey, we create space for the seeds of our efforts to blossom into a magnificent harvest, both visible and deeply felt. For it is in the patient tending of the unseen that we discover the true magnificence of our growth.