Look How You've Grown!

There is a phenomenon in my life occurring right now that I can't wrap my head around. Perhaps you can help me.

Various people who have only recently known me, have expressed their awe at how far I've come, or how much I've grown.

I'm not a person that offends easily, but I do not understand this. Who do people think I am? What sins do they think I've committed? How bad of a person did you think I was? To me, my pendulum did not take a far distance to swing.

I have always had a testimony of truth and righteousness. I have always wanted to do good. I have not participated in illegal crimes. My "dark years" were short lived, with minimal rebellion, or testing the waters.

Those who have commented, did not know me in my dark years, so I can't help but wonder if family has told potentially exaggerated tales of my lifestyle. Perhaps not? Perhaps it's perception?

Am I perceived to have been a poorly behaved person? Do I look like someone clawing their way out of the sewers of life and doldrums of society?

I know it's supposed to be a compliment, but I think the compliment is better suited for someone who actually has come a long way.

Where I have come a long way is with the suffering and sorrows in my life. I have had an unusually challenging life, thus far. And while some hardship came as a result of my actions and choices, most did not. I continuously, fervently try to rise above, knowing that the positive choices in my life and faith will get me through the ongoing struggles life enjoys to taunt me with.

But then, I rarely complain of all that's occurred. The pain, the sadness. They are mine. For these things, I have grown so much. I have become stronger. I have become kinder, gentler, happier, because I seek after joy.

My weaknesses are becoming strengths, but I am growing more from enduring the challenges that fall before me.

I will pretend, from now on, that when others see me as one who has "come a long way", that they know the trials of my heart, and see what has truly helped me grow.

Like a seedling in rich soil, I will seek after light to provide me strength, so the storms don't seems so rough. And with each storm, forgiving the harshness of its delivery, I will take the rain, and allow it to nourish my soul.

And after the storm, perhaps I will be able to understand when people proudly say to me, "Look how much you've grown!"