Consider the Bonsai Trees

So, I was considering the hypothetical lilies at the botanical garden and they had an exhibit there featuring bonsai trees, and I found this sign interesting:

Bonsai: cultivating miniaturized trees to reflect the style of full-sized mature trees

- rigor and discipline in pruning & training to achieve overall vision

- the pot is chosen for the tree

In that moment I just saw myself as that tree. I may not be fully mature, but God has been shaping me and pruning me because he has this overall vision for my life. It does take discipline, and years, and requires training. But I'm in the environment that I'm in because it fits with the overall vision for my life. I'm here at CMU for a reason. I was born into this family for a reason. And it's all part of shaping me into who I'm meant to be.

Other thoughts:

The smooth, pretty rocks are the ones shaped by the waves.

Plants rely on photosynthetic energy from the light, and grow towards it.

My prayer - May I be growing towards the light, recognizable by my fruit, and reflecting my roots.