by Emily Conrad
I watched our watermelon plants closely last year. I noticed when flowers first appeared, but they seemed to fall off with no promise of fruit.
This was normal for the start of the season, I learned.
Eventually, tiny fruit formed at the bases of flowers and then withered. That, too, was part of the process.
Finally, the vines grew watermelons.
From this description, you may assume that I closely observed the plants. I assumed I did. And yet…
This year, when I saw the intricate pattern in the center of a tiny watermelon bloom, I stopped in wonder.
How did I not remember that cool design from last year?
Surely the flowers had the same structure.
The difference is that last year, my observations were tinged with impatience. I only wanted the fruit. I didn’t want the baby steps, so I didn’t give them the attention they deserved.
Impatience blinded me to the beauty of the journey.
This year, I know that beyond the basics, nothing I do will hurry along the harvest. I’m waiting in trust that the results will come in time, and that sense of patience has given me new eyes to see.
If I could miss the design in the flowers, I am surely missing other wonders in other areas of life due to my impatience to get to the next step.
I long to progress past the newbie stage at work. But I’m doing the best I can, and the team is completely supportive. When I stop striving so hard toward an end result I can’t rush anyway, I can better appreciate the fact that I get to work with a wonderful team toward a mission I’m passionate about.
I long for answers to writing submissions I have out. But, I can’t do much to hurry along answers. When I let go of my desire to know what might come next, trusting that God will lead me in the way I should go, I am freer to use this time to improve my stories and explore new ideas in ways  I wouldn’t have time for if I were under deadlines.
What are you waiting for with impatience? What might it look like to let God control the outcomes while you enjoy the journey?
I still await many things. But I’m slowing down right here in the middle of the journey to look and see. To appreciate the beauty blooming in my life.
This may not be the season of harvest, but God’s wonders never cease, and there is always so much to see.

P.S. I was on Seriously Write earlier this week with a post titled “Psalm 19 for Writers.” If you’re a writer, I hope you’ll be inspired!

What are you waiting for with impatience? What might it look like to let God control the outcomes while you enjoy the journey? – via @emilyrconrad #waiting #patience #beauty

I still await many things. But I’m slowing down right here in the middle of the journey to look and see. To appreciate the #beauty blooming in my life. #grateful @emilyrconrad

This may not be the season of harvest, but God’s wonders never cease, and there is always so much to see. @emilyrconrad #enjoythejourney #waiting

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