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!