The title of today's writing is "BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED." We will look at the origin of that phrase, its meaning, and how it applies to all of our lives in different ways. How are you blooming where you are planted today?
Blessings and blossoms of joy to each of you!
Jan
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Today's Devotional
"BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED"
by
Jan Andersen
The phrase “Bloom where you are planted” is not found in the Bible, but the concept is. Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622) is credited with first using the phrase. Mary Engelbreit (1952- ), a graphic artist and children’s book illustrator, made it popular more recently. Let’s look at the words in that phrase:
“Bloom” When speaking of people, it could mean to develop and grow, or mature and flourish. It could also mean prosper, succeed or thrive. It might even refer to being joyful, blessed or content.
“Where” You could consider this concretely as a location. Perhaps it could mean a situation you are experiencing. It might even refer to your job as well. Let’s also think about it as a season, as in different seasons of your life.
“You” Indicates the phrase is about us, not plants!
“Are Planted” Literally placed by a gardener or sower, or also defined as positioned, established, situated or settled.
So lets use those definitions with the phrase: Whether we are a stay at home mom or professional, a single person or married, a janitor or doctor, unemployed or retired, a teen or a grandmother, we can all apply this phrase to our lives. We can bloom in any of those roles by becoming more mature Christians through studying God’s word and applying to our lives. We can blossom with joy in the Lord in our hearts in all circumstances, leaning on him and trusting him to walk us through anything and everything in our lives. We can flourish and produce good fruit from our blossoms, even when we falter and feel we have failed - we can use those experiences to help others and to glorify God as we witness about Him to those around us. All of this is "blooming where we have been planted."
There are many Bible verses that support the thought that we can all flourish wherever God places us in life, or have joy no matter our circumstances. But one of my favorites now that I live in Arizona is:
Isaiah 35;1-2a ESV The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing.
Even in our “desert” places and seasons we can have joy in our hearts as we bloom where we are planted!
Dear Father in heaven, “master gardener” of our lives, we thank you for your wonderful creation and that even in the desert we can have beautiful blooms of wildflowers. Forgive us where we have done wrong and when we have not put our whole trust in you to bring us through our barren times. Help us to bloom where we are planted and to give you the glory! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Song:
BLOOM
Moriah Peters
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Prayers are lifted up daily for you by the Devotional Writers
and the Monthly Writing Staff of Women's Focus Ministries.
Blog Writers:
Jan Andersen, Sandy Billingham, Carol Steficek,
Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward, Karen Bennett,
Bre Miller, Cathy Friberg, and Corinne Mustafa
Occasional Contributors:
Kathy Bireley, Lynda Kinnard, Mary M. Wilkins,
Terri Baker, Beverley Napier, Kelly Dobyns
Glenna Williamson, Shelly Keith, Amie Spruiell,
Lisabeth Lipp, and Nandita Bhatnagar
Lisabeth Lipp, and Nandita Bhatnagar
What a beautiful coverage of this topic not only on a secular level but also on a spiritual level as well.
ReplyDeleteWas that beautiful photo at the beginning of the writing one of your photographs?
Thank you Corinne. No, that was not one of my own photos :)
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