My 3 G’s: Growth
Faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. - Matthew 17:20
…trust without borders and have faith beyond reason.
It was up to me to use the sidelines as an opportunity to grow and to be intentional about choosing growth.
As I already shared, this shift did not fit my vision; instead, I learned that my sideline experience allowed me to put my life and priorities into perspective and be reminded of what they are. In addition, it allowed me to get utterly uncomfortable expanding healthily.
John Maxwell teaches, “You can’t bring people to places you have never been.” So, if I have never faced intense adversity or the opportunity to be resilient, how could I successfully lead others through their wilderness?
We will all have wilderness moments and get stuck if we don’t have the critical skills to navigate through them.
While on my cancer journey, losing my hair was a scary step. It may sound vain, and it probably is, but it was my real fear. I did not want to look at the part of cancer; once I did, I would no longer be able to mask or pretend as if something significant was not occurring in my life.
Although challenging, it was one of my life's most significant growth moments.
When I removed my wig and let the world into my journey on a different level, a friend asked me, “Do you feel beautiful?” That question stopped me. Reflecting on it, I confidently answered, “Yes, and it’s different.”
Although my appearance had dramatically changed, my heart, mind, and soul had not. They had been strengthened and enhanced. That “within” piece God was talking about moved me forward; it made me smile and helped others feel comfortable when they didn’t know what to say.
A few weeks into my cancer treatment, I was given a plaque that stated, “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.” I link this statement to Psalm 84:5, “Blessed and greatly favored is the man whose strength is in You.” The blend of these two kept my hand gripped by God’s, which infused my ability to go from strength to strength. In this squeezing season, I was reminded of His presence on my path and that I get to trust Him, letting His promises of hope shape my attitude. Here’s how …
My husband and son had already left for the rink. When my daughter and I were almost ready, I grabbed my wig and threw it on. That’s when I stopped, looked at myself in the mirror, and thought, “If not now, when?” I took a deep breath, set my wig aside, and grabbed some big earrings and my favorite lipstick. Then, with my heart pounding, I thought, “I can do this.”
When my daughter and I pulled up to the rink and began walking in, I casually looked up, suddenly stopped, and just stared. When I looked at the rink entrance, it was the same one that one year (almost to the day) prior, I told myself, “There is no way I will ever go out in public without my ‘Alyssa look’ of long blonde hair.”
Facing difficulties and vulnerable moments with a growth mindset is essential for genuine growth. Grounding ourselves internally is crucial to growing in a way that is anchored from within. This allows us to give others the courage and permission to embrace their wilderness moments with character and confidence. Vulnerability connects us, and people crave authenticity and relatability.
We all face stumbling blocks that allow us to turn them into stepping-stones of growth. My journey through cancer, including rounds of chemotherapy and multiple surgeries, gave me more time to reflect. It made me realize that I need to trust, not only when life is comfortable and in my favor, but especially when it feels like a mystery, nothing seems to be going my way, and I feel tossed aside.
The lesson I learned is to choose growth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. It's essential to ask yourself hard questions, think inwardly, be vulnerable, and let the challenging chapters in life purposefully refine you.
“Value where you are in your journey, even if it’s not where you want to be. Every season serves a purpose.”
Photo by Averee Kreutzfeldt at Bar 33 Ranch, Blaisdell, North Dakota