Loving To Watch Things Grow

So I've realized the best motivation for doing things that I know need to get done is driven by the thought that the best will blossom as a result. The older I get the more I love change in the sense of seeing things suffer for the sake of improving and refining, becoming something to admire. That goes for people in my life too. But the first intention has to be my own growth (in the Lord), sometimes seeming like self-sacrifice with an unknown outcome. Confident in God's direction and control over the consequence of my sacrifice, I can know the decision and intentional effort is worthwhile. It is actually a nurturing as I draw near to Him. It is freeing to think of the greater good being valued for a sacrifice, but the greatest good is Christ being glorified and honored with all to see and know. At some point in my life, probably towards the end, I hope to garden and learn botany and how to classify different species. For now, I will work on growing, being uncomfortable for His sake, and watch my turtles.