“The oak sleeps in the acorn.” – James Allen

“Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.” – 1 Timothy 4:15 ESV

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” – 2 Peter 3:18 ESV

“Do not be afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still.” – Chinese Proverb

“A seed grows with no sound, but a tree falls with huge noise.  Destruction has noise but creation is silent.  Grow silently.” – Josh Loe

I will never forget the closet door frame in my parent’s bedroom in the house I grew up in on Edison Street in Marshfield, Wisconsin.  Every year during our birthday, my parents would stand us up against the door frame and measure our height – comparing it to the marks left in years past.  I remember being amazed at how much we grew from year to year – marveling at how it all happened so seamlessly. 

Quietly and unobtrusively, our physical growth was happening.  Like the grass in a field or the bud on a tree that sprouts leaves – you can never visually see it as it is happening in the moment, but with time; the new growth becomes noticeable beyond a doubt.

The same can be said of our spiritual journey here.  We each have an individual, unique path we must walk – filled with learning that is designed specifically for us.  As we learn, we grow.  But often it doesn’t feel that way. 

Time and again, it can seem like we are getting nowhere, that our lives are stagnant, and that true growth is the last thing occurring – especially when we seem to keep making the same mistakes and missteps.  How can good things be happening when all feels lost, dead, and empty?

But during times like this, real growth is happening my friend.  It is occurring quietly – hidden from view.

When you have endured and endured a troubled marriage, lingering health issues, or challenging family problems, deep inside the seeds of perseverance are growing.  Your strength and determination are developing.  What feels like failure in the short run is bringing you to a higher place as time moves forward.

When you are dealing with circumstances that seem impossible to change or alter…when all you can seem to do is hold on to the tiniest strand of hope that things will improve, your faith is being stretched.  You can’t see it, you can’t feel it, but it is expanding.

That rejection you’ve faced is growing a deeper, more compassionate heart toward others.  The poverty and lack you struggle with is enlarging your desire to give of yourself more – knowing what it feels like to be desperate and in need.  The loss, and the intense emptiness that accompanies it, is growing your trust – teaching you to lean on a loving God when nothing seems to make sense anymore.

Little do you realize, but if we took a spiritual measuring stick and stood you up against the bedroom closet door frame on Edison Street so to speak, you would begin to see how far you’ve come through the years 🙂

But why does the growth seem so hidden to us?

Realize that hidden growth happens at the epicenter of failure, mistakes, and hardships.  It is here (and only here) that true learning occurs – where all the expanding, stretching, and development takes place.  During these times, we tend to focus on the negativity of the event or circumstance.  Our senses are turned away from what is happening deep inside of us – the growth that’s transpiring as a result.

Just like on Edison Street, we never felt or visually saw our physical bodies grow.  As the actual growth was occurring, we were oblivious to what was taking place.  Only when we stood next to the door frame and compared where we stood now relative to where we were before did we understand how much we grew.

Your hidden growth may be hard to see now, but trust me, in time it will be clearly evident 🙂

God knows how important that growth is.  It is why you are here, my friend.  The beautiful thing is that He sees it all so clearly in you NOW – in the midst of your struggles and difficulties.  He sees what will come of it – the growth that will take place over time.  Hidden growth is vital to who you are and what you will become as time passes.  That growth will culminate into a more peaceful life, one that has greater impact on others, and one that connects in a deeper, more meaningful way with the Creator.

Take some time tonight to contemplate the growth that has occurred in your own life.  As you look hard at all you’ve faced, all you’ve experienced – look down the door frame and see the place where you started.  Measure how far you have come.  Embrace the hidden growth that has occurred!  See the stronger levels of faith, the greater ability to endure, the hope that isn’t so easily lost now, and the skill you have acquired to persevere in any and all circumstances.

Thank God He is providing you opportunities to grow my friend! See the value in it, learn to measure it often, and soon it won’t seem so hidden after all 🙂

God bless!