Bloom Where You're Planted

"(Chorus) Bloom where you're planted. He knows what's best. Bloom where you're planted. In His perfect will rest. There'll be sunshine and rain, but it's all for our gain. Rejoice and be glad, no time to be sad. Just lift up your head and bloom. Bloom where you're planted. (1) Bloom where you're planted don't worry or fret over things you've not seen happen as yet. Some things are veiled and others you now see but dim. There's 24 hours in every day to bloom for God's glory don't let it slip away. Just bloom where you're planted and leave the future with Him" ~ Sarah/Juanita/LaDonna I've got to find the rest of those words. :(
Been a long time since this song came to mind but during a weekend I'd spent with two sweet ladies (one who's gone home now) we were talking of my future and what the Lord had done so far and would do. It's just amazing how the words to the chorus began to roll... Then the verses came, of which I can only remember one at the moment. But isn't it amazing how the Lord brings things to our remembrance when needed the most?

While at an appointment this morning and recalling what the Lord has done recently and the opportunities He's given, and needing some help in being "content" until... This little chorus came to mind that three of us came up with all those years ago. Been hummin' the tune and singing what I can remember throughout the day...gotta find the rest of those words. :/ Anyway, as Spring is upon us and we see things blooming and becoming "alive" again, I'm reminded of what He was saying to me all those years ago. We were out in the yard when these words started coming. As has been recently, I was wondering and anxious for what the Lord had in store and ready to get out of that comfortable nest and He began to speak to me on blooming where He puts me. Do we choose to bloom where He wants us, or do we just grow complacent, or even just give up on ever being anything more than the ordinary? Maybe settle in living the normal humdrum of a life. I don't know about you, but I've never been happy living like that. I've found that those times in life are the ones that I'm unhappy and unsettled and begging for change, begging for more...because I know He has more, expects more. I've been guilty, even of recent, of worrying about the future, and what hasn't even happened yet. Feel like I just need to know what the next step will be, then when I feel directed in moving forward, then I question how it's gonna happen, or how He's gonna provide. That's where things look a little dim or veiled, but He knows, and after all, isn't He the One leading our steps? I pray so many times saying Lord I believe, but please help my unbelief...kinda double minded isn't it? What's wrong with just enjoying where we're at on the way to where we're going? With me, it's the lack of patience...I wanna get there YESTERDAY, because I'm afraid if I don't get it done, then it just ain't gonna happen. I guess a lack of trust and confidence...but isn't it Him that we trust in to work all the details out? Whewww that faith and trust thing isn't always easy. But, when I look back I see where He's come through time and again...can't you? I can see times in my life where He truely allowed me to BLOOM. Then, there are those when I've allowed circumstances and the enemy to come in and it all began to wither...dry up. Maybe because I felt as if I wasn't good enough for Him to use me...or to be a part of what He was doing through another person/ministry. Hey, I've found out it's not my "worthiness" that matters... He makes us worthy, and if He chooses to use us, then He obviously has confidence that we can make it. He'll equip us, He'll be with us, He'll lead us...we just have to trust. So are you out there bloomin'? I want to, don't know where/when/how He'll choose, but what I do know is that I'm gonna allow Him to plant me wherever He chooses and bloom there. It may be just for a season, but I'm thankful for those seasons He's already given...and the growth that's come with them. Now, I'm lookin' forward to the new season ahead, aren't you? Soooo....
Bloom where you're planted. He knows what's best. Bloom where you're planted. In His perfect will rest. There'll be sunshine and rain, but it's all for our gain. Rejoice and be glad, no time to be sad. Just lift up your head and bloom. Bloom where you're planted.

Purposefully Joyful

Wow!  It's been a while since I've "blogged" on my other site, so gonna start new here. :)  I won't recap on things since that last blog other than just to say that I'm so thankful that we have a Father who not only rides right along with us through those roller coaster sorta times in life, but that He comforts and protects us through every one of them too.  This is the Wednesday following an amazing weekend in Franklin, TN for Ann Downing's Middle Tennessee Women's Retreat and my heart is full of the memories and lessons from this weekend.  I must say it was sooo hard leaving that environment and the friends gained there, but I'm amazed at what He has placed inside to carry with me, right into my "real" circumstances.  Oh yeah, we have to remind ourselves during some difficult days and may need some help in doing so along the way, but the seeds have been planted and are IN there to come forth.  Happiness can be such a trivial thing and I've played that game far too long, searching for that place where it exists in the purest form, haven't you?  But, as we were reminded time and again this weekend, JOY is there and we must purpose or choose to be joyful even in the midst of our circumstances.  No, it's not always easy!  As a matter of fact, it can be nearly impossible at times...the keyword being "nearly".  It's amazing how we work and look forward to something and then when it comes it passes so fast that we don't even know where it all went, and when it's time for it to come to an end, we cling to those memories just hoping to make it last just a little longer.  We tend to so easily forget when we get back into our normal (or not so normal) :)  routine that we must take what we've learned and experienced and apply it to our lives.  I'm guilty to say the least of being so overwhelmed by the uncertainties, fears and unknowns that I worry of the what/where/when/how details, forgetting that He is God and in control of it all, BUT we must give Him that place.  So, can we just trust in the One who's PROVEN Himself so trustworthy and has never failed?  Can we be content where we are until....?  That's my problem, I know there's more out there, that He wants more and has more for me, but...how/when/where and just being able to trust that He is faithful and will bring about what He wants as long as I remain open to what He wants.  In the meantime we must have joy even in these uncertain days.  We CAN have joy, but it comes through trusting Him.  As a friend recently shared with me, we must commit to doing the right thing, which would be trusting in Him, not how or when He'll choose to do it, but just that HE WILL! It's that simple...  Of course if you've had issues with trusting, it can be a little more complicated.  But hasn't He proven Himself time and again???  I'm reminded of the words of a song Susan (KPNR) sings, "Looks like this won't be the day my prayer gets an answer. The old me would've given up by now.  But I'll press on any way for I know that God is Faithful and He's gonna make a way somehow cause I know God is in control.  He never makes mistakes.  He'll take care of this problem, no matter how long it takes.  In the meantime, I'll be thankful for all the times He's answered me before.  In the meantime, I'll be peaceful, not anxious for anything the future has in store.  It's not easy waiting but it's always worth the time, knowing that the answer is in better hands than mine.  I trust Him, so I'll praise Him in the meantime.  This is not the first time I've waited for an answer.  Patience brings a perfect work from Him.  I place my life in His hands, so when I'm tempted to worry, I reassure myself once again.  Cause I know God is in control.  He never makes mistakes.  He'll take care of this problem, no matter how long it takes.  In the meantime...."  So it's in trusting the God Who's never failed us in the past and choosing, purposing to have joy right in the middle of the waiting...or the "in between times".  Can we purpose as AnnD says, that it's gonna be a good day "No Matter What"?  We can, but will we?  Choose this day to live in the Joy of the Lord.  He's the one who gives it, but we must first be willing to receive.  I can't tell you it'll always be easy, and we may need little gentle reminders, but it is possible.  We're sure to live much more productive and successful lives in Him if we live a life that is "Purposefully Joyful"!!!