Bloom where you are planted
Francis de Sales (1567-1622) spoke these wise words as Bishop of Geneva: "Truly, charity knows no bounds; for the love of God has been poured into our hearts by his Spirit, who dwells in each of us, calling us to a life of devotion, inviting us to blossom in the garden he has planted, and instructing us to radiate the beauty and spread the fragrance of his providence."
This idea of blooming in God's garden is fascinating. A flower has little control over where it grows. Seeds fall to the ground near the mother plant, are carried by the wind or spread by birds. They find their place in fertile soil, in water or on barren rocks. I have often wondered how some flowers found their way into my garden; most of them are welcome guests. I can consciously decide where seeds are planted.
Blooming in the place where one was planted reminds me of a flower growing in an unusual place. My husband had placed bright markers along the driveway. These markers consisted of narrow but tall tubes that he filled with stones. In one of these tubes a flower found its place and defied the most adverse conditions by making the most of its surroundings.
When I look at a dandelion, I see a plant that is a favorite of children. Its delicate flower heads are fascinating, but it is remarkably resilient. Even if you dig it up, it will come back unless all the roots are removed. The dandelion is one of the first sources of food for bees, who feed it with its nectar. In turn, the bees pollinate the plants, bringing life to the planet - just as God intended. Imagine God's hand picking up the flower as a seed and blowing it into the wind with His breath to sail to where God wants it to be planted.
Where has God planted each of us? We cannot choose our own place, but God has a specific place and a clear plan for each of us. Consider the story of Joseph. Surely it was not his choice to be sold into Egypt and put into slavery or prison (1. (Genesis 37-50). But Joseph made the best of his situation; he flourished where God had planted him. Likewise, God chose Saul, later called Paul, on the road to Damascus and sent him to those he had once persecuted. Paul was sent to the Gentiles and eventually to prison, where he preached the gospel of Christ. This was probably not Paul's own plan for life, but he flourished where God had planted him.
God has placed each of us in a specific place. While we may not share the extreme experiences of Joseph or Paul, each of us has a special purpose. We are here to grow, to nourish others with the sweet nectar of God's Word, and to testify to God's mercy, grace, and love. Our lives tell a story even when we don't use words. Of course, we also have choices of our own to make. Openness to God's Word and His calling is crucial to our spiritual growth.
What does it mean specifically to flourish where you were planted? This popular expression encourages us to be fruitful, to make the most of our lives even when we face challenges, and to do the right thing even when it is difficult. The Psalmist describes this impressively: "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and whatever he does prospers" (Psalm 1,3) Learn to bloom where you were planted!
by Anne Gillam
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Cut flowers that wither
God's love
