Trail Marker #43 Growth: You Deserve A Beautiful Garden

Each one of us has experienced loss. Our lives bear scars, reminders of battles fought, wounds healed, and the resilience that carries us forward. Today, I want to share a story of transformation, a tale of turning a barren quarry into the breathtaking Butchart Gardens. It's a testament to the power of growth amidst adversity, echoing Linda Poindexter's words, "One small crack does not mean that you are broken. It means that you were put to the test and did not fall apart."

Let's delve into the essence of GROW:

G - Decide to Grow.

Don’t let yourself stay trapped in the wreckage. Acknowledge the scars, the pain, the betrayals. Embrace them, for they are part of your journey. Instead of staying stuck in the pain, you can choice to heal. Your trauma does not define you. Jeanne Butchart's husband mined limestone. Once the earth was emptied he would move on to the next area of land. What was left was an empty quarry of ugly scars. Jeanne could have avoid seeing the disaster, the brokenness of the soil. She instead to make a change.

R - Remove the weeds.

Many told her that she could not make a difference. She did not listen to the doubt from others. The fear that crept in she faced that fear and removed it. The doubt and fear we face with trauma is like weeds choking the garden of your soul. I encourage you to Identify and uproot them. Maybe there are weeds in your life of toxic relationships. Start setting boundaries for a healthy life. Let go of the weight of past failures. For many years, I was told that I was not lovable or capable. The words were weeds. They did not line up the truth of Scripture. Remember, your identity is not found in the labels others place on you, but in the love and grace of Christ.

O - Identify Opportunities.

In the midst of darkness, there is always a glimmer of hope. Seek out opportunities for growth and restoration. Jeanne had men from her husband's team and they tied a rope around her waist to be lowered inside the quarry. She saw the opportunity of an empty space. She planted one flower at a time. We can do the same. There are things we can use to create a beautiful story. Notice that there are opportunities around you. One tool you can use as you rewrite your story is the T-Chart. You have learned valuable lessons, I encourage you to remove the blinders that keep you from seeing the possibilities before you. Take a piece of blank paper and fold it in half from left to right. I want you to write the tile "Dark Chapter" on the left side. For the right side, title it "Lessons Learned." Write under the heading "Dark Chapter" any difficulties, pain, betrayal. Now focus on the right hand side. What things you have learned from those experiences? Who you have become despite those circumstances.

When I look at the dark chapter in my life, I learned that my voice is powerful. I joined Toastmasters International to find confidence and encouragement. Another opportunity I noticed was that I had trusted friends and family I had isolated myself from. I took the time to pour myself into the local church and spending times laughing with those that loved me. Would love to hear from you the learning you have gained. Feel free to comment.

W - Walk Forward to Plant the Seeds

Once you've decided to grow, nothing can stand in your way. Set goals that align with your wellness in all areas of life - health, relationships, career, time, and money. Remember, as Sangeeta Rana said, "No one can stop you once you have decided to grow." God promises to give you beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61:3) Look forward and write down what you want your life to look like. What does it look like based on your identity in Christ?

Jeanne reached her dream of creating beauty from the scars. Butchart Gardens is a historical site that has grown into acres upon acres.

In closing, I want to leave you with this thought: Your scars are not signs of weakness, but of strength. They tell a story of resilience, of battles fought and won. Embrace them, for they are the marks of a warrior. And remember, the darkest chapter of your life is not the end of your story. With each step forward, you are writing a new chapter, a chapter filled with hope, growth, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.

Remeber you do not need to do this alone. Start your healing journey through one-on-one life coaching. Schedule time with me to learn more: linktr.ee/beingrestoredtojoy