I learned a very valuable lesson at a young age.
When I was in 5th grade, we gave a friend of the family a ride home from church choir practice. She was in 8th grade at the time and during the car ride home, my mom and she made small talk. She told my mom about a big research project she was working on and how it was an 8th grade requirement. I remember my eyes getting wider and wider as she talked about the 10-12 different references she needed to compile and how if you didn't pass this research paper, you didn't pass 8th grade. I remember thinking, as a wise old 5th grader, that I better go to a different middle school because there was no way I could write that kind of paper. I would never pass 8th grade if I had to do that kind of research paper.
Three years passed, and I attended the same middle school as the family friend... and sure enough, the middle of 8th grade brought THE DREADED Research Paper Assignment. As soon as the assignment was presented, I remembered it from the car ride home 3 years prior. I breathed a sigh of relief because I was ready to tackle this paper.
The three years in 5th, 6th, and 7th grade had prepared me for this kind of assignment. This was still a new challenge, but the 8th grade teachers offered plenty of support and I was going to be just fine. As an 8th grader, I acknowledged that I did not have the skills in 5th grade to successfully complete this task, but when the time came that the paper was assigned, in 8th grade, I was up to the challenge.
At the ripe age of 14, I realized that many tasks will seem overwhelming when I hear about them because I am not ready for them yet. Many challenges seem insurmountable when they are viewed from afar; however, when the time comes to face the challenge, I will have the skills necessary to tackle it.
As a freshman in high school, I was overwhelmed when Seniors discussed college plans. When this happened, I took a deep breath and remembered the lesson of the research paper. When the time came to apply and attend college, I would be ready.
As an underclassman in college, I would see the big impressive thesis projects that Seniors completed. Instead of being overwhelmed, I would take a deep breath and trust that when the time came for me to begin that Sr Thesis Project, I would be ready.
Somehow it was very natural to trust that my teachers would prepare me during those high school and collegiate years and make me equipped for my Sr. tasks. Why does it come less naturally then to trust that when the Lord places new tasks, paths and challenges before me, that He will have equipped me for what lies ahead?
What happened to my deep breath and my trust that when I the assignment came, I would be ready?
Lord, please help me trust Your preparation and Your timing. When the assignment is given, You will have me ready for the task. The task may be challenging, but You will not send me out unprepared.
When I was in 5th grade, we gave a friend of the family a ride home from church choir practice. She was in 8th grade at the time and during the car ride home, my mom and she made small talk. She told my mom about a big research project she was working on and how it was an 8th grade requirement. I remember my eyes getting wider and wider as she talked about the 10-12 different references she needed to compile and how if you didn't pass this research paper, you didn't pass 8th grade. I remember thinking, as a wise old 5th grader, that I better go to a different middle school because there was no way I could write that kind of paper. I would never pass 8th grade if I had to do that kind of research paper.
Three years passed, and I attended the same middle school as the family friend... and sure enough, the middle of 8th grade brought THE DREADED Research Paper Assignment. As soon as the assignment was presented, I remembered it from the car ride home 3 years prior. I breathed a sigh of relief because I was ready to tackle this paper.
The three years in 5th, 6th, and 7th grade had prepared me for this kind of assignment. This was still a new challenge, but the 8th grade teachers offered plenty of support and I was going to be just fine. As an 8th grader, I acknowledged that I did not have the skills in 5th grade to successfully complete this task, but when the time came that the paper was assigned, in 8th grade, I was up to the challenge.
At the ripe age of 14, I realized that many tasks will seem overwhelming when I hear about them because I am not ready for them yet. Many challenges seem insurmountable when they are viewed from afar; however, when the time comes to face the challenge, I will have the skills necessary to tackle it.
As a freshman in high school, I was overwhelmed when Seniors discussed college plans. When this happened, I took a deep breath and remembered the lesson of the research paper. When the time came to apply and attend college, I would be ready.
As an underclassman in college, I would see the big impressive thesis projects that Seniors completed. Instead of being overwhelmed, I would take a deep breath and trust that when the time came for me to begin that Sr Thesis Project, I would be ready.
Somehow it was very natural to trust that my teachers would prepare me during those high school and collegiate years and make me equipped for my Sr. tasks. Why does it come less naturally then to trust that when the Lord places new tasks, paths and challenges before me, that He will have equipped me for what lies ahead?
What happened to my deep breath and my trust that when I the assignment came, I would be ready?
Lord, please help me trust Your preparation and Your timing. When the assignment is given, You will have me ready for the task. The task may be challenging, but You will not send me out unprepared.
This is so perfectly written!! The Lord has a perfect plan and timing for everything!
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