Make me an Oak Tree

I was reminded tonight of a story my pastor once told about the destiny of an acorn. A tiny, insignificant acorn. An acorn that can so easily get smashed, stepped on, or snacked on. An acorn that might possibly be collected by a 4-year-old nature enthusiast.

Yet, that tiny acorn is destined for more. If it’s planted, tended, and given time it will manifest into an Oak Tree. A big, strong, beautiful Oak Tree. An Oak Tree which provides shade, a place to nest and nourishment. Surely, insignificant no more.

The obvious parable is that we are the acorns. Woefully wasting our talents and dreams just to be stepped on and smashed by the duties of life. Especially as a mom. How often do we feel the duty to dump all that is ‘us’ for the sake of having to be “that mom”?

But see, tonight I was encouraged not to let my dreams be stored for another day, or hide my talents for the sake of more “Mom-like” ones (cleaning, cooking, child-bearing- repeat!). It doesn’t mean leaving my family to hang out to dry, but rather to grow with me as I tend to what I love.

Efrem Jackson, co-founder of Free to Serve Financial Ministries, spoke at my MOPS group tonight about how to become “Mommaprenuers.” (You know, like the mom who created Baby Einstein, or the one who made Mrs. Fields cookies, or even the one who made Gerber baby food.)

Efrem is an expert in Personal Finance. He’s an entrepreneur or “Papaprenuer”, in his own right. He’s talented, he knows his stuff, I trust him! He was there to encourage us that we’re more than JUST mom’s. That our dreams and talents are God given. Our dreams are a seed planted by God. That just because we’re moms, we shouldn’t feel guilty for giving time to our talents. Rather, we should feel encouraged.

Efrem challenged us to change our mind frame. “If you can sew- sew. If you can bake-bake. If you can teach-teach. If you can write-write.”

So no more…

I don’t have time…

I’m not smart enough…

I don’t have enough money…

I’m too scared to fail…

It’s time to take care of what we alone can take care of, and let God do the rest!

“We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.” 2 Corinthians 3:4-5

This is why I’m reminded of that parable with the acorn. While I myself may not be the next JK Rowling or Judy Bloom, I am destined to be me. I will no longer allow my destiny be stepped on, smashed on, or even collected by someone else. I will perservere to my destiny.