Bloom Where You Are Planted

Before this nasty coldfront came in, I took the time to take pictures of our "first-blooms." These purple ones were the first I saw, delicate, cheerful, and most definitely blooming. It made me think about the similarities between flowers and people.

 Now don't get me wrong, I love people, but it seems like we tend to try to do WAY to many things at once. God has put us in a specific area for a specific purpose. Whether it be easy or hard, our lives have a purpose. We can't change that fact. But, we do seem to try to overly control our lives so the outcome will either suit us better or be more predictable. So for me, I tend to be thinking way ahead in life....like way too far.

 So, for instance, we are moving in a little less than 4 months. I continually find myself worrying about the move, about my summer plans, and all the millions of things I will be leaving behind. This puts me in a bad state of mind, and I end up being lazy, rude, and plain ol' grumpy. If I continue living that way, I can't bloom where I'm planted, which is currently Indy. I will spend my time being worried, and miss out on all the wonderful opportunities infront of me right now. Eventually I will be planted in Chiang Mai, but I'm not yet. I mean, what if a flower knew it were going to be re-planted in a few weeks, so it stopped blooming in its spot and tried to think itself to the new spot to bloom ahead of time. It would not be blooming in its current spot, and would be a poor wilted flower when it did get moved!! I mean, how ridiculous does that sound? Very ridiculous!

 We are the exact same way, and its ridiculous. God has put us where He wants us each day. We need to bloom where we are. We can't try to bloom in too many places at once. Now, I do believe we can be making a difference in more than once place, many places in fact, but if we try to put all our energy into a differnt place than where we are, we will find failure. Epic failure. So, we need to get up each morning, have the joy of the Lord in our hearts, and be ready to say "Lord, use me where I am planted today." That should be what we always say to God every morning. Ask Him for the grace to help you face each day. His mercies are new each morning.


 ~Kristen~