Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Bloom Where You're Planted...

I wanted to share something that my cousin shared on Facebook.  Just a little background though...

My cousin and I live about 5 hours apart and we are about 10 years different in ages.  We don't see each other much, but thankfully we share a common faith.  I admire her a great deal, and if I ever grow up one day, I hope I'm just like her.  She is a Christian lady, and truly lives her faith.  She never has a mean thing to say about anyone, and I look forward to reading her posts on Facebook each morning.  She ALWAYS has a word of encouragement, and has a wonderful sense of humor with an infectious laugh to go with it.  At the beginning of the summer she posted a picture with an amazing story.  I'm going to quote her here, as I don't think I could improve on her caption, and it shows amazing wisdom and insight.



“As I was taking care of my flowers out back last evening, I thought about this little guy. He sits just outside my raised bed, in the corner, under a layer of hard dirt and stone. Something that had fallen there and had survived the winter all on its own. He pushed up through all of that so he could get the warming sun and right now he is flourising. I thought about transplanting him back into the bed but decided against it..I am thinking this is a sign of the will to survive in a hard world. I need to look to the sun (son) for my strength. I am thinking that God has given me the same ability to try and make my little corner of the world a better place, just like this guys does. This was my lesson of the day yesterday, and wanted to share it....have a geat day everyone....” - Judy

This story was perfect timing for me, as you know the past three and a half years have been one struggle after another, and though some things have improved, I'm still working on others.  I am "battle weary" and sometimes wish things would get a little easier.  Then I'm reminded of this story of this flower that had to overcome such adversity to bloom where it was planted...surviving the cold winter, pushing against hard dirt and rocks and yet gave such beauty to the world.  My prayer is that I would just BLOOM where I'm planted and find a place to shine the Son's beauty.

Just the other day, Judy posted another picture of what this little guy looks like now.  She didn't replant him and later said that it was the nicest plant on her property.  Despite all odds, it not only survived, it flourished.  With the Son's help, we can be just like this Marigold....


Thanks for letting me share your story, Judy.  Hopefully it will inspire others the way it inspired me!  

5 comments:

judyschoon said...

Dear Debbie, thank you for the kind words...we do share our faith as well as our family lines...I posted this, both times, because I needed some encouragement....I am so glad it touched your heart too...Our God is good and He is faithful...
Just so your friends know, we have our fun sides, too...have to tell them that this picture of us was taken as we spent almost 6 hours at a hot dog wagon one afternoon...eating lunch and supper there...my friends wanted to know what in the heck we did for all that time...and I told them "just being us" they still laugh about it...love you Debbie

Linda said...

What a beautiful plant and an amazing story. Thanks for sharing.

Linda

nutmegg said...

A lovely story DJ thanks so much for sharing...xoxo

Babs in Alabama said...

What a way to end my evening. Almost didn't come over but somehow I knew it must be pretty special. It was and is and I thank both of you for sharing this with me. God bless you both and a hug for you both too (((Deb & Judy)))

Astrids dragon said...

Proof to bloom where you're planted! Thank you, Judy, for sharing and inspiring us. I hope to meet you one of these days when you come to visit DJ!