Moving Through Seasons of Grit with Grace
Lately, I have been reminded of the courage it takes to face each day. Grit is a word that is surfacing for me to describe what courage looks like in action. For me, grit is about doing the hard things, getting down in the dirt to do the work that is required - even when the odds are against us. This past Sunday at church, my Pastor talked about growing through tough seasons using the metaphor of ‘The Rose that Grew from Concrete, ’ famously written by the late Rapper Tupac Shakur. For some of us, we are in environments and situations where we are not set up to thrive. He shared that we may want to leave tough situations, but God is equipping us for something greater to persevere in harsh conditions.
Time and time again, I see the grit, the roses in our communities that continue to grow in difficult circumstances. What is beautiful about this moment is that I am seeing people extend love, grace, and kindness to those around them because there is a shared understanding of the obstacles encountered daily. I am also embracing the belief that challenging times do not last forever. That belief gives me hope and inspiration to continue and make the most out of these times because there is something brighter coming. The greater truth is this: we do not simply wait for the light—we become it.
National Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman’s poem, The Hill We Climb, embodies the essence of being a light in difficult times.
As you face your own concrete today, remember that you are not just surviving—you are becoming the rose that inspires others to bloom. Your grit is not just your story; it is a testament to every person who will come after you and find strength in knowing that you made it through.