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Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Bloom where you are planted

The other day I pulled into a store parking lot and noticed this little weed growing right in the asphalt. It struck me that it was growing there with no visible dirt and hot surroundings.
Then I remembered another example of growing in a difficult place. The picture below is of Seasons Flowers, the florist where my daughter Laura works. If you look closely, you will notice a little purple splotch where the parking lot meets the sidewalk.

This is what you are seeing. It's a little petunia. It has been growing there, blooming with different colors all summer!


This makes me think about myself, and where I am planted. It's been a difficult situation at my work recently. New forms, new reports and it seems much more is expected in the same amount of time. I've been frustrated and I'm sorry to say that I've been more like the weed. I'm there, doing what I need to do, but not always with a smile and often complaining to friends and family. I think God calls us to be more like the little petunia and bloom. He puts us in the situations we are in for a reason and I don't think it's to just get through it. I am going to pray for more strength and patience and try to bloom where I am planted!


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24 comments:

A Stone Gatherer said...

O.K. WOW! Is that a convicting post or WHAT!!!! Thanks Mari for making me see myself and for such a wonderful Picture of God's plans for us and how we are to view them! I do have a question for you though "who do you define when God is calling you out of a situation?" You can ask Bob this too!

Shelly said...

Wow! That is interesting how you analyzed that one. I like how you put it all together. I am sorry about the things that you have to go through at work. Just remember that those people you care for, enjoy you and appreciate you for what you do for them. You have a great smile and don't let them people get to ya!

Kayren said...

I hear you, and I love what you said. Many times that was the way I felt while I lived in Virginia. Great post!

~ Kayren

Mike Golch said...

My little sis was planting flowers once,and she drpooed some seeds on a couple of cracks in the concrete retaining wall on the side of our lot and flowers sprung up.

Diane said...

I've been thinking a lot about this lately - bloom where you are planted. We may not really like where we are at the present time in our lives but God has a purpose for us to be right where we are for such a time as this! Where He has us planted right now and what He has for us to do can only be done the exact way He wants it by the exact person He has put there! Thanks so much for posting this - it just affirms what He's been telling me for the past month!

Lynn said...

Wonderful lesson, Mari. Thanks...

Cherdecor said...

One day we were driving down an interstate and between the pavement and the the bridge in the cement was a very tall sunflower. We all had to laugh! A SUNFLOWER?!?!

Bloom where you are planted is always the thought that comes to mind too. Great post!

Anonymous said...

I love it when the Lord puts these little things in our path to remind us of small lessons we need to learn. Thanks for sharing. It's a good reminder for me as well to sprout a blossom and not a weed.

Cheri said...

What a great reminder!

Anonymous said...

Ouch!

I've been really busy with packing, unpacking, cleaning, the beginning of the new school year that I have fallen waaaay behind in my Blog reading!

However, this post was very providential for me! It can be painful to realize where we fall short----and I often find myself not "blooming" where I am planted too.

I want to be like the petunia! Thank you for taking the time to post and write your reflections. This really ministered to me! :)

Pat said...

Your post reminds me that like all flowers, we too need to be "dead headed"...to have the old blossoms pinched off so new blossoms can flourish..and bloom where they're planted. Life is full of the times where we need a little spiritual dead heading.
Your work is so important, I know that you bless people daily-you are called to your profession...it isn't just a job.

Terri said...

Always a great reminder.

The Birds Nest said...

Good analogy!!! Made me think about my life and the situations that I've been in!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this great post Mari.I often find words of wisdom from your posts.Thanks,Patty

Anonymous said...

Great post! I think it must be humorous to the non-bloggers out there to run into us bloggers as we take pictures of everything we do....flowers coming out of asphalt....gas station signs as the prices go down....the exchanges of old dishwashers to new ones....whatever. I'm glad to know others are like me....finding the grace of God in every little thing. Thanks!

Grace Acres said...

Thanks for the reminder of choosing what God calls us to do. Great analogy to bring this point to light.

Anonymous said...

Oh Mari, thanks I needed that also. What a great analogy!! Do it for the Lord not man, and focus on your residents, they love you!! So do I:)

Amy said...

My minister gave a sermon on this exact thing! Thanks for sharing your examples.

Jean said...

Thanks, Mari. I needed that this morning.

Rebekah said...

good post- very insightful

Demara said...

aw yes! that petunia growing out of the curb is really neat!!! and THAT IS a great representation of what we were planted on this world to do.

Cathy said...

That is adorable, Mari. When I worked at Wal-Mart, I always used to pray for God to give me wisdom and strength to endure.

Saija said...

isn't it neat how God speaks loudly through little flowers, blooming through cement or even concrete tiles ... :o)

i love the way He does that! *grin*

Anonymous said...

You should have seen the petunias we grew in the cracks this year - and we never watered them once. There were whole plants! There was a white one that had about ten blooms on it!