33 - Delight in the Process

I woke up early today and went to my balcony to take care for my plants. All the cherry tomato plants have been growing well and the 82-day old ones seemed to start growing flower branches! The butternut squash seed I put in soil 4 days ago also sprouted! I was super happy and excited!

Then I have a quiet moment with the Lord, Yahweh.

The Lord spoke:

'My child. This is the same excitement I feel for you. Even you are still working-in-progress and not yet bearing the actual fruits, or the fruit not yet come to maturity. I celebrate each and every progress and growth that you have. Just like the baby seedlings that just sprouted, or even the taller tomato plants which are still less than 3-month old, I know you have taken extra care to them. So do I. When you are young, I give grace and time to you. You don't have to catch up with those who are growing more quickly. You have your own uniqueness and the method I take care of each of you is different, as the need is different. So do not compare.

You don't need to be completed and matured to make me happy. I delight in you before you are formed in your womb. I see who you will become even before you were born. I am excited for you. And seeing you grow gives Me joy. However, when you are sick or unhappy, I am sad too and worried about you.

Jeremiah 1:5 NIV

Before I formed you in the womb I knew [or chose] you,

before you were born I set you apart;

Yet, when I see infections and that part is not going to help the overall growth or bear fruit, I cut it off. I prune so you can grow better. The process may hurt a bit but it's for your own good.

John 15:1-4 NIV

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

Even you have not flowered and still entering that season or progress, I cannot contain My excitement and joy! I can't wait to see you blossom! It's not because of My spending so much time taking care of you so I want to see you flower. Instead, it's because I already know who you would become before you knew it. I love you so I am delighted in you. You can do nothing to please Me. Just like the plant can do nothing to please the gardener. The gardener still enjoys the presence of His precious plants and delight in them. Simply be the one I created you to be.

Also, there is nothing that the plant can do to push the flowering and fruiting process. The Gardener knows this takes time to wait and it requires a process. Do not rush into self-advancing deeds. I know what's good for you at different times just as the Gardener knows when to water and fertilize the plant. A good gardener will not over-water or over-fertilize the plant. He also provides room for the plant to grow, to stretch to its desired form and position. No two are identical. Each is unique.'

I was so touched.