Bloom Where You Are Planted

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven..."

 Ecclesiastes 3:1

(today's post is dedicated to my dear friend Pam's late mom, Phyllis Ferguson, whose favorite quote was "Bloom where you are planted". A beautiful lady who is making heaven beautiful with her kindness and her smile)

I have many wild violets growing in my landscaping around my house. The house was built in the middle of a forest, excavated many times, filled in and driven over, seeded and scraped. I have called these my "warrior violets". They just keep blooming everywhere-up through the cracks in the cement, fighting up through the 4 inches of bark we put in the landscaping each spring, in the compost pile, the fire pit -everywhere. They make the best of their harsh environment and they just bloom wherever they land. They don't stop and think, "is this a good place to bloom?"

We should live like those wild little violets, making the most of every situation, regardless of its challenges. It's possible you may not be in your ideal place and you may be itching to get out of there. Whether it's a job, home, career, situation beyond your immediate control, we all have faced some situation where we just feel trapped or incapable of "blooming" into who we thought we would be or where we thought we'd end up.  I know I have, and it's not always my first instinct to simply "bloom where I am planted". I've always thought  if I got  too complacent or too comfortable, that means I'd be in danger of staying stuck in a place I don't want to be. The problem was my attitude. We can change our whole outlook with one question. Am I stuck or can I be a blessing here?

 Sometimes we are right where we are meant to be, for a greater purpose, or for someone else.
Choosing to bloom where we are planted helps us to accept that we may not be where we want to be, but that we can still achieve great things right where we are. We can have a positive mind, set and achieve goals, and keep pressing forward, believing we are strong enough to  accept whatever circumstance comes our way. In a way, it's a phrase that just means "faith". It also acknowledges we should count our blessings first and not focus on the negative aspects of the situation. It is setting our "selves" aside and asking ourselves what in this situation do I need to learn or what do I have to give at this particular time.

I'm not always where I want to be, and it's not where I planned I'd be, but life is just that way sometimes. Surprise!  It's not always going to go the way we plan. But if everything goes the way you plan, how do you ever learn how to handle adversity? Without adversity, you won't find out how strong you are. Without strength, you don't grow, and without growth, you just stay stuck in a little cocoon. While some days that sounds pretty inviting, grown ups just aren't attractive whining about everything that's gone wrong in their lives and how it's everyone else's fault. Changed plans and rough roads make us learn more about who we are, and hopefully the twists and turns help us to dig deeper. Twists and turns can also lead to beautiful destinations, interesting opportunities, huge blessings, and even fun. It's all in how you decide to view them.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:11-12

When you're scattered in tough soil like those little violets,  you have to extend your roots even deeper, learn to go without the nourishment you need, and reach for the sun even when it's hiding behind the clouds. And when it rains, stand in it, and let it pour right into your soul. Those tiny violet stems are some of the strongest roots I've seen! And whatever you do, don't give up!

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Bloom where you are planted. You might be at that job or in that area for someone else's sake. Someone might need your smile, your expertise, your input, your prayers, your positivity, your grace, your joy, your great attitude, or the way you make the best of every situation you face. And when you feel you've soaked up as much as you can and you've done all the transplanting you can do, move on to where you feel called to be, knowing you made the best of every moment you were given. Decide if you are "stuck" or "blessed" to be where you are and wait to see your outlook change. I can do it, even with a chronic, unpredictable illness. I can say I am blessed. I am learning to bloom. I've watched others blooming in cracks, bad soil, and horrible conditions. I can do it too.

Just another word about all those wild violets. Last summer, my nature-loving oldest daughter decided to pick as many as she could find and she made a batch of wild violet jelly. Not only was it a beautiful color, but she said it had an interesting grape flavor as well. Everything has a purpose, no matter where it grows. Nature teaches us this and we would be wise to treat ourselves with the same kind of love, care, and respect.

Be blessed and flourish, wherever you are blooming.