Growth in Hard Places

I dragged our garbage bin to the roadway in front of our home the other evening and as I turned to go back inside, something caught my eye. Something small, yet obviously out of place. I bent down to get a closer look and saw a tiny shrub growing out of a crack in the asphalt. Its bright green hue was in stark contrast to the drab grey of the street. I looked closer to see where this little thing could have taken root but all I could see was the hardness of the road around it.

Yet here it stood, growing in its own time, and somehow finding what it needed in order to keep going. Making the best of the hard place in which it stood.

Suddenly, a wave of compassion overtook me – perhaps in part for this little plant – but also for so many of us who find ourselves in hard places and yet continue to stand.

Maybe not thriving as we could. But standing, nonetheless.

I could call to mind so many who find themselves in hard places.
Places of grief.
Places of brokenness.
Places of need.
Places of hardship.
Places of fear.

And the world shouts loudly, shaming those who dare to linger and to lean into the pain. Acting as though grief has a timespan.
As though healing is only for the sick.
And as though the things that have shattered need only be swept away.

Barely able to find a footing, we dig into the hard places and try our best to stand.
Maybe not as tall or as strong as we wish we would. But standing, nonetheless.

And as I studied this little plant standing its ground without fertile ground, I understood…
There can be growth in hard places.
There can be hope in dark places.
There can be love in strained places.
There can be peace in uncertain places.

Everyone praises the mighty oak that sends its roots deep into the earth and stretches its branches wide enough to be a place of shelter and solace for all.
But what of the tiny shrub?
Growing in its own time.
Somehow finding what it needs in order to keep going.
Making the best of the hard place in which it stands.

Maybe not the way we pictured it should be. But standing, nonetheless.

That is strength.
That is resilience.
That is faith.

And I am overcome with compassion for all
who, despite it all,
continue to stand.

Trusting that best effort is enough for right now.
Understanding that not being able to do more in this moment doesn’t make us less in any way.
Believing that the hardness of circumstance need not toughen the spirit or the heart.
Standing in faith that better days always lie ahead.

Maybe not able to see when, where or how it will end. But standing, nonetheless.