The growth of spring

Okay, I had to laugh at myself. The amount of pictures I've taken of blooms, plants, green grass, and pretty much anything that resembles spring is a little ridiculous. Clearly I'm excited. But honestly, I LOVE seeing the growth and feeling the change in the air. Not going to lie, I actually really do enjoy winter, but those final weeks of winter are such a struggle. The days seem endless, we've done everything I feel like I 'want' to do in winter, and I hit a point where I'm tired of the cold!

And seeing these photos made me realize I should have a little more love for those final weeks of winter. The toughest part of the season (for me) is simultaneously developing the whole new chapter - spring! I just can't see it yet.

The funny thing about spring is the actual growth behind what I'm seeing happens much sooner than I can see it. Those little buds are hard at work long before they become buds. Change happens deep within the roots that triggers a series of progression. Plants are growing long before we see the beauty transpire.

Which makes me ask:

"What unseen growth happens in my life?"

I've found that change is usually kinda hard. Okay, sometimes it's really hard. And if change doesn't happen on 'my timeline' I'm frustrated. I'm ready to throw in the towel. If I don't see a result, why continue trying?

In my experience, there are loads of times where I've started something new only to feel foolish. So many setbacks. Failures. Trials. And oodles of weeds to work through.

I remember when we decided our oldest was 'old enough' to start reading scriptures as a family. He was two, and we thought bedtime would be a great way to finish the day. It was a habit we wanted to create, and while it seemed like a good idea, we soon found it fell far from any expectation. I picked up the picture/story version of the scriptures and imagined he'd sit on my lap while we read. In actuality, he rolled all over the floor, jumped, tore the pages, ran all over the room and did anything but listen. I was frustrated. If we were doing something that seemed right, why wasn't it working? It would have been super easy to shelf that idea for a future 'someday.'

Wisely, the Lord has reminded me again and again of this scripture. I think because I need to hear it. Over and over. And I've learned (over and over), the truth behind it is very real:

"Now you may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise." Alma 37:6

Often change and growth are both small and simple.

In the case of reading scriptures together, it was simple: change our approach. Instead of fighting against who he was, or giving up completely, we could choose to learn how to embrace where he was at. As an active guy, he wanted to participate. Through trial (and error), we learned he LOVED acting out the scenes and loved listening if we told the story and pointed to the pictures rather than reading the words directly. Over time, as he became more familiar (and older), he began to tell the stories. Gradually, he began to sit and listen. As other children were added into the 'bedtime routine,' he welcomed the opportunity to act out stories for them. Now, with a habit of family scripture study (while we still do miss nights from time to time), I'm grateful for his reminders to get us back on track.

Looking back, there have been loads of fails in the process (and I have no doubt this will be an ongoing continual work in progress - especially as schedules continue to change and kiddos grow). But, had I completely stopped all efforts, and 'shelved the idea' for when it would be right, I wonder when the 'right time' would have (if ever) happened. I know we would have missed out on those sweet memories of foam swords and laughter (he loved acting out the battle scenes the most).

Just as much as I seem to never grasp the complexity behind a simple beautiful springtime blossom, I don't think I'll ever fully grasp how much the Lord guides and lifts in small and simple ways. It's humbling to think how thoughts build on one another like an individual blossom. Choosing to listen and take action on those thoughts - no matter how small - are what build those blossoms into the framework of an entire tree.

Small and simple is a lesson I am continually learning from. Life is FULL of springtime. There is so much good. So much warmth and growth happening. I simply need to remember to see it.