Every day somebody expresses in some form that they wish they were progressing faster, making fewer mistakes, growing stronger at a greater rate. It reminds me of a story I recently read:
A little girl, dressed in her Sunday best, was running as fast as she could, trying not to be late for Bible class. As she ran she prayed, “Lord, please don't let me be late! Please don't let me be late!'” While she was running and praying, she tripped on a curb and fell, getting her clothes dirty and tearing her dress. She got up, brushed herself off, and started running again. As she ran she once again began to pray, “Lord, please don't let me be late . . . But please don't shove me either!'
We can run faster by moving our legs faster. We can shovel coal faster by moving our legs, arms, and backs faster. But most emotional growth can happen only at a gradual pace, and past that optimum speed, our growth slows or even breaks down entirely. In order to learn and grow emotionally, we do need to be attentive and aware. We need to make conscious decisions without fear. But we do not need to be in a hurry. We do not need to run.
