Bloom Where You Are
There are a couple of flower boxes on our back porch railing. If you have any cats, you know what that means; anything growing there must be pretty persistent or risk being crushed under the furry bellies of our lounging feline friends. This has lead to discouragement on our part. We simply don’t bother to plant there anymore.
That’s where a delicate salmon-colored poppy comes into the story. Even though the parent plants are on the ground, far below, somehow a tiny seed made it to the soil in one of the flower boxes. Not only did it make it, it germinated, set down roots, and has been beautifully blooming for a few days now.
What Lesson Can Be Found?
We aren’t always where we thought we’d be in our lives. Maybe we don’t even want to be where we are at all. It’s easy to focus on an idealistic image of if only. In this imaginary, perfect world we are saints, successful (in a worldly way), or admired by all. Every effort reaps the anticipated reward and failure only comes if we don’t try hard enough – or don’t have enough faith.
Yet scripture tells us that we will be tested. That our trials – and how we handle them – must shine as a light for others to see. Our task is to become the salt for them and the leaven for their spiritual bread. We are called, “bloom where you are”. What is our response?
Matthew 5:13-16
13“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men. 14“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. 15Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Bloom Where You Are
It isn’t always ours to choose where life leads us. However, our reaction is our choice. When life hands out an unexpected detour from our search for perfection, we must choose to react with grace. As a sweet little lady used to tell me, “Bloom where you are”.
Wherever God plants us that is our place to shine – to shine with His love and compassion and faithful service. Then we will be headed down the road of success – and toward the sainthood we desire.
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[…] us, humans. We grow in love and faith and hope as He tends to our souls. In return, we are asked to bloom where we grow– no matter what our environment, nourishment, or pruning are. In as much as we are His […]
[…] us humans. We grow in love and faith and hope as He tends to our souls. In return, we are asked to bloom where we grow– no matter what our environment, nourishment, or pruning are. In as much as we are His […]