grow up.

 "grow up"
I muttered it
under my breath
the pressure suffocating
as I took another step

"grow up"
they told me
"you should know better by now"
but the voices in my head
they couldn't tell me how

"grow up"
I said
as I looked to my left
saw the person standing there
so immature, so bereft

"grow up"
I scoffed
examining the hand we'd been dealt
"an impossible task"
shame demanding to be felt

"grow up"
I whispered
as I fell to the floor
wrapped my arms around myself
"I can't do this anymore"

to "grow up"
had turned into
a neverending task
the target kept moving
the achievement didn't last

"grow up"
I tried to do
but the growing didn't stop
the box was never checked
on and on ticked the clock

exasperated
"I quit!"
angry and confused
"I'm never going to make it"
feeling disillusioned and used

"grow up"
He finally spoke
"meant to be like the One
whose perfection outshines
whose race already run"

"grow up"
He said
with a twinkle in His eye
His voice in me healing
made my soul feel alive

"the burden to grow up
was never yours to bear
but to trust, to rely
to Come, and to share"

so I gave Him my heart
the wreckage inside
and I wept
as I exposed
what I worked so hard to hide

I put my hand in His
I swallowed my pride
I'll let Him do the work
in His way
in His time

then I turned to my neighbor
the one I'd judged before
I saw a child
"growing up"
flawed and messy and unsure

for"grow up"
we will
but until that day comes
you'll find us incomplete
children loved by the One

"...speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Ephesians 4:15-16

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Philippians 1:6

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

"The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."

Romans 8:16-17

"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Colossians 2:6-7