Bloom Where You're Planted

Hello beautiful daughters of God - Think Spring!

Lately, this phrase, "Bloom Where You're Planted," keeps popping up wherever I go or whatever I do.  I open a book and there it is.  I just heard it mentioned in the movie, Facing The Giants.  I always wanted to see this movie, but never seemed to remember to borrow it.  Well, I was at a local library a couple of weeks ago and I decided to browse the movies--there it was!  I grabbed it up and took it home to watch it and about half-way through the movie, there was that phrase!  Also, our women's group met last week and we were discussing a theme for our luncheon in early May.  We decided to use "Bloom Where You're Planted" as the theme for our women's luncheon this year.  It fit in perfectly with the decorations and door prizes that were already purchased for the luncheon.  Isn't it amazing how God works?  Like a loving parent, when He wants you to get something, He keeps repeating it!  

Therefore, I believe God wants me to reflect on this phrase and share with you some thoughts about what it means to me to bloom wherever I may be planted - at home, work, and church.  

Home - According to Proverbs 31:10-31, there are so many ways I can bloom in my home.  By loving and trusting God, I can be more like the virtuous wife.  When my husband and I were married over 15 years ago, I wanted to run everything. I was a single parent for a few years and I got into the mode of taking charge--of everything!  It took some time, counseling, and a Bible study to make me realize I wasn't being very respectful to my husband and I wasn't bringing any honor to God or the marriage.  I guess I thought that if I submitted to my husband, I was weak. But, that is not it at all!  By submitting to my husband and letting him be head of our household, I am doing what God tells me to do.  Wives are told to submit to their husbands at least four times in the Bible (see Ephesians 5:22; Ephesians 5:24; Colossians 3:18; and 1 Peter 3:1). Therefore, this must be important to God (I told you that when God wants you to get something, He keeps repeating it!)   Whether you are married or single, a mother or a mother-figure to someone else, bloom in your home and be the woman God calls you to be.    

Work - When I think of what it means to bloom at work, I think of Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" [KJV].  It may not always be easy to talk about God to others in the workplace.  Some companies frown very heavily on employees who talk about their faith.  However, even if openly sharing your faith is discouraged at work, you can still be that light that shines for God.  How?  Here are some suggestions: 

1. Carry a positive attitude everywhere you go, even if it's only to the break room.  If you have the joy in your heart which is Christ, that joy can't help but overflow onto others.  People will notice your positive attitude and want the joy you feel. 
2. Do not fall prey to gossip.  Don't listen to it and don't spread it.  
3. Watch your language/guard your heart.  Tongues seem to have a way of bringing out the real words in our hearts when we least expect it.  Be aware of the words that spill out of your mouth when you hit troubles at work.  If you cannot repeat those words without feeling shame, it may be time to examine your heart.  Sometimes, when I get upset, I say, "shoe beans."  I'm not sure what it means, but it prevents me from saying something I may regret.  I am trying!
4. Always give your best to God (from Facing the Giants).  Whatever job you do, give it your all!  If you don't understand something, ask questions.  If you need training, look into different options and then present those choices to your supervisor.  Even if the answer is no, you will know that you are doing your best to bloom at work!  
5. Encourage your co-workers and help wherever you can.  If there is a job that needs to be done but it is outside of your "job description," offer to help anyway.  You may learn something new and you may like it!    

Church - You can bloom in the church where God has planted you by sharing your time and talents to serve others:  "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10 [NIV].  God puts us exactly where He needs us to be.  Like a seasoned farmer, He knows exactly where to plant us, how to prune us, and when to harvest us to further His kingdom.  Sometimes, we are called out of our comfort zone to serve in an area that is not something we would typically volunteer to do.  Pray about this new area and see if you are being led to learn something new or grow into a different area.  Last year, I ended up leading a women's Bible study for the first time.  I was not very confident at first about leading the group.  I wanted to find someone else to teach or postpone the study until the lady who originally was going to teach would be available.  However, I dug into it and found that I really liked it and I learned so much more by leading the group.  I am already looking forward to our next Bible study later this year.  If you are not serving in your church already, find ways to share your talents at church.  Let them tap into one of God's most valuable human resources--you!     

In summary, "Bloom Where You're Planted" (to me) means that whatever you do, whatever your age or stage in life, "...do everything to the glory of the One who made you..."   Hmmm, reminds me of a song by Stephen Curtis Chapman, "Do Everything."

Published on [YouTube] Aug 8, 2011

Music video by Steven Curtis Chapman performing Do Everything (Official Music Video). (P) (C) 2011 Sparrow Records. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws. Manufactured by EMI Christian Music Group,

I would love to hear what "Bloom Where You're Planted" means to you.

Blessings!