"Bloom where you are planted."

Poppies, gouache, 8x10"

All my life I've heard the saying, "bloom where you are planted," but today as I was taking my walk I started meditating on it. I think it's misleading...

Maybe my take on it is wrong, but when I hear it I assume that I should be content where I am, and that I should also, well, bloom. Even if I'm in the shade I should be bearing flowers or fruit. Even if it's cold and wintry, as a happy little plant I could make things better and bear some fruit. Even if I'm planted in the desert in very dry conditions, I should be blooming, assuming I'm doing this all correctly.

Isn't that what you think when you hear it? I know--I should simply accept my unchangeable surroundings and make the best of them. Accept the inevitable and make do. Find the good aspects of the situation and bear a little fruit...

It seems to presume that I can and should bloom despite where I am.

But I can't always.

My point is, "bloom where you are planted" implies that I can make myself bloom. Have you ever seen a plant that could do that? I'm picturing a strawberry trying to push out a flower, knowing that she will bear a sweet little bit of fruit. Does she concentrate? Try to spread out her leaves and gather more sunshine? Wiggle her roots deeper into the soil? I know, maybe she pushes and grunts and tries to think fruity thoughts. Ever seen a strawberry transplanting herself? Does she yell at the gardener, asking for more fertilizer?

Blooming doesn't require her to change her mind and accept things or become resigned to them. No, she simply lives.

Let's face it, if it isn't the right season or she doesn't have the correct growing conditions, she is not going to bring forth a flower or fruit. All the striving in the world won't make a blossom bud if it's not the right time.

No, that only happens when it's time for her to blossom.

Either she will or she won't bloom because of the kind of plant she is, the place she is now growing and the conditions God allows in her life--the sunshine and rain, erosion or pests.That's totally up to the Lord and His intentions for her.

So I think it might be better for me to think of it this way. Instead of "bloom where you are planted," maybe it should be "you'll bloom in season."

I'm not to strive to blossom. Blossoming is not my job, it's what results from what God has made me to be.

I pray that He will allow me to bear fruit for His kingdom, in His time, in His way, and in His perfect will. Without striving, I hope to see how this unfolds in my life seasonally. His will be done. Amen.


"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10