Growing Beautifully

I was trying to decide what I wanted to write about. I have a lot on my mind, but nothing particularly inspiring came to mind. Then I remembered the title I came up with for my blog. Invitation to grow beautifully....this is what God has invited me to do.
Lately, my family and the neighbors around have been planting flowers for the summer. It sure is a messy task. Wheelbarrows and tools are scattered over the yard. Hands and feed are covered in mud and dirt. Weeds have been pulled, but after it is all said and done, beautiful plants begin to grow. The care does not stop there though. Each night, my mom must go out and water the plants. Weeds will still continue to grow, so we will continue to pull weeds. Next summer, the whole process will begin again. I guess life is a little like this.
I have graduated from college, and after some messy reworking, I have been planted back here at home. Right now the weeds of doubt and uncertainty are beginning to grow. I feel left behind in some areas of life and depressed that I am still job hunting. The weeds of depression, self-pity, self-reliance, and discontentment threaten to choke the beautiful flower God wants me to be.
However, it does not have to be that way. Each day I am showered with encouragement from family and friends who let me know I am loved and supported. The warm light of God's love reassures me that I am never alone. All of this uncertainty for the future is scary, but at the end of the day, God is in control. I still do not know what is next for me, but I can still grow beautifully. It may be messy, but what an awesome adventure it is. I have already made many memories I shall treasure forever this summer. I do not need to wallow in self doubt and pity. Rather I will drink in the waters of encouragement and soak up the light of love from my Heavenly Father.