Bloom Where You Are Planted

When you think of the word bloom, you may think of newness of life, growth, springtime, flowers. In looking more closely at the word though, we see bloom is a verb (remember a verb is an action word!). Bloom is an action word that means to grow or develop successfully. Yes, flowers do bloom. However, flowers are not the only things that bloom. We as people can bloom too! We have to learn to bloom right where we are. At the current job we have, we can bloom. At the school or college we attend, we can bloom. At the place we currently live at, we can bloom. God has us at the place He has us right now for a reason. He wants us to bloom right where we are. The people who are crossing our path right now is for a reason. Whether it's by way of social media or face-to-face contact, be thankful for those interactions and connections. We should be encouraged and encouraging others during those interactions. The right interactions will help us bloom. When we bloom where we are planted, we are being present in the moment. We can use the opportunities to learn all we can about the world around us, subject areas in school and college, sports we play and the meaning of teamwork, and from our own and other's personal experiences. We should be learning all we can from God's Word and do our best to walk it out in our daily lives. We should learn or take up a new interest or hobby. For me, blogging is my new interest and passion. It's something I've wanted to do ever since the end of last year. I like to write and encourage and I thought blogging would be the perfect way to do that! I didn't step out to do it right away though because I wasn't sure if I could. I looked at a few blog sites, but that was about it. However, at the beginning of this year, we were challenged at Bible Study one night at church to activate our faith and set goals for the year. We were challenged to take active steps towards making those goals come to past. Well, I'm sure you can guess what God brought back to me again..blogging! So, at the beginning of this year in January, I went back to looking at blog sites, but more seriously this time. I started asking my friends' questions who had a blog before. I started praying for God's guidance, while also taking steps needed to start a blog. In April of this year, it happened. To God be the Glory! This blog is my heart and has encouraged me so much as I pray it has encouraged you. You see, blooming is more than just about us. It's about others too. Where you see you can help with a need, do so. Where you can give a compliment, say hi, hold the door open for someone, lift up a prayer, say an encouraging word, write a letter, give a card, do so. Now, I know there are times that it seems like while we're waiting and working that no progress is being made and nothing is blooming. Just like certain flowers bloom in certain seasons, it's the same in our lives. We may not always see any growth immediately and that's okay. Don't be discouraged! Keep learning. Keep working. Growth is happening. Rest assured, what you are learning and doing now is preparing you for your next. So, bloom on, my friends and watch the great things that are going to happen in your life!