Bloom

Devotional for 6/9/11

Perfect Conditions

I like cutesy, adorable and charming depictions of life. However, about ten years ago, a note card by Mary Engelbreit gave me a new appreciation for this type of art. “Bloom where you are planted!” (Copy write by ME Inc) started innocently enough as an encouraging phrase with an adorable illustration. But soon it became a mantra in the lives of women around me as they searched out the deeper meaning this phrase had for their lives.

“Bloom where you are planted.”

To the woman who never lived in the same area for more than a few years it meant ‘get involved here and now’. To the one who lived in a small home with growing children it meant ‘make the most of what you have.’ To the single woman it meant ‘stop waiting for marriage to start living life fully.’ To the woman who wondered why she got married it meant ‘stop thinking about what might have been and love the one you’re with.’

A root meaning of Mary Engelbreit’s phrase might be to stop waiting. I have to make a constant effort to stop waiting for ________. Whether it’s when the baby sleeps through the night, when the kids are out of diapers, when I lose 10 pounds, when we have more money, when the car is paid off…..THEN I will do ________. Even now I force myself to schedule fun things in the midst of life - otherwise I would just keep on making lists and working on lists and completing lists and making new lists.

The word “bloom” suggests that rather than just getting through this season in our lives, we should stop, turn our faces to the Son of Righteousness and let His love warm our faces and fill our hearts with His peace. Only by opening our hearts up to Him in every circumstance will we be able to receive His love and comfort and then share it with others in similar situations.

“This is the day the LORD has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Psalm 118:24 (NIV)

 “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given,

and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself.

Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility

for doing the creative best you can with your own life.”  

Galatians 5:4-5 (MSG)

Written by Mary M. Wilkins