Growth Takes Time

I wouldn’t call myself an avid gardener, but I do love the simple joy of coaxing tiny seeds into a bunch of flowers for my kitchen table. The only problem is, I’m a bit impatient. I check on them every day, knowing full well that they haven’t changed much overnight, yet still hoping to see a burst of colour. Gardening has taught me that growth is rarely instant. It happens slowly, quietly, and often out of sight. A seed finally pushes through the soil. A student finds their voice. A community learns together what it means to follow Jesus more deeply.

This past week, we saw that kind of growth in action. Our Year 12 students didn’t just run a Week of Worship, they led it with courage and heart. They stepped up, not because it was easy, but because they were ready to serve. In doing so, they reminded us that growth often looks like saying “yes”, even when it stretches us.

It’s a beautiful thing to witness our students, who once sat and listened, now standing and leading. Ideas blossoming into moments of worship, laughter, and reflection, that draw our whole school closer to God. That’s growth, not just in skill or confidence, but in character and faith.

When I think about my flowers, what strikes me most is how growth seems invisible for so long. There are days when it feels like nothing is happening, just tall, green stalks of leaves, and a lot of waiting. But then one morning, almost without warning, the blooms appear. All that quiet, hidden growth suddenly reveals something beautiful.

As a school, we’re reminded that growth doesn’t happen in a hurry. It’s nurtured over time through prayer, community, and the gentle work of the Holy Spirit. Just like plants reach toward the light, we grow when we turn our hearts toward God. Our Year 12 students are like those flowers, slowly nurtured, patiently growing, and now courageously standing tall, ready to lead others. We’re so proud of who they’ve become and all that God is growing in them.

“Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him.” Colossians 2:7

Pr Michaela Nilon
Campus Ministries - Chaplain