BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED
That saying was something Barbara Johnston, one of the original “Women of Faith,” founders said and even published a book by that name. They came to Kemper Arena here in KC for many years. I was one of the ones who was blessed to go several times. Roger Shouse, who was a preacher at my congregation for many years, sat next to her on a plane and got to know her a bit better. She even gave him about a dozen tickets for the next event. She had many trials she went through and with God’s help, she realized she had to hold onto her faith and hope. One thing she emphasized as an author and speaker, was that no matter what a person goes through, they should bloom where they are planted. In other words, no matter what season of life you are in-no matter what trial you are going through-no matter what you were defined by in your past-no matter how dark the future seems to be, we have to still serve God in the middle of it. Even when we don’t think we can take another step. Even when we are searching for God’s light in the middle of all the darkness. Even when we don’t feel we are worthy or enough. Even when we have sinned so much that we can’t see the possibility that God will forgive us and for sure can’t see how we can possibly serve Him.
When we plant a garden of flowers or fruits or vegetables, there is work associated with that. We have to get our hands dirty. Our nails get dirt under them. Sometimes, even our hands get cut. We have to prune some plants to keep them growing. We have to nurture-water those plants to make them grow. Keep the pesky weeds from growing. We are going to get “dirty” in this life with the everyday happenings. No matter what we are going through, we have to serve in whatever way we can. Those different seasons of our lives, are all different and we have to learn how to pull those ugly weeds and look at the fruit that we can share with others to help them.
We all have different talents in service to God. Every single person on the face of this earth has a God given talent. The only way that we can use our talents, bloom where we are planted, is to get out there and do service to and for others, no matter how small it seems to us. We may not be able to do the miracle Jesus did, to turn a small number of 5 loaves and 2 fish to multiply to feed the 5000. (John 6:1-14) But maybe we are like the boy who provided the fish and loaves. We might not be the one who is visibly doing great things. But we are just as important. We are letting our talents shine to the world. When my husband preached to small congregations, I was the one making sure he had a clean, ironed shirt. I took care of our little ones, even trying to potty train our oldest on the road. When my husband was a chaplain at Boy Scout camp or at the local hospital, I was the one he threw ideas off of. The one washing and packing his needed clothes. When he was an elder of the church, I was the one who he took with him when he went to someone’s home to counsel them. It takes people reaching out with the things they are good at, to all work together to work for the Lord. (Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-27) These verses emphasize that all of the parts of our bodies work together. In the same way, all of us need to do our part in the work for the Lord!
So, how do I know what I am good at? You first have to think about what you like to do. Maybe you like to read. Take a book and read to the elderly or kids at your local library. Share books with friends. Maybe you like to cook. There is always someone who is sick or having a hard time or elderly. Fix them a meal, take it to them, and stay and visit for a little bit. Our cupboard was very sparce at times and I was always so tired when I got home from my jobs. When someone brought us a meal, wow, what a blessing for us. Maybe you like to write. Get some cards. I received and still do today, receive cards of encouragement that make my day. You don’t have to spend much money. (Our dollar tree has cards for $1 apiece.) Mail them to the sick, the struggling, the elderly. Write something encouraging to the parents of children and teens in this world today. Maybe you like sports. Be a coach for your son or daughters’ team. There are so many children who are being raised without a father. Search them out and play catch. When our boys were in sports, we made so many friends who I still hear from today. Maybe you don’t like things to be a mess. Pick up trash in a parking lot. Organize the church’s teachers resource room. After my husband passed away, a precious friend came over and just started cleaning and doing our laundry. What a blessing! Maybe you like to talk. There is a huge need for people to go sit and visit with the elderly. Use your voice to encourage, to teach, to give comfort. Share a hug! There were many who gave me hugs during my dark years and that helped me to take one more step. Teach a children’s class at church. Maybe you have been blessed with a good bank account. Search out people you can help by paying their electric bill. After my husband passed away, the post office took his check he just got deposited, out of our account. We had no money. A friend came over and sat at the kitchen table with my son, opened her check book and paid some bills that needed paid. Buy a gift card to help someone struggling. During our rough times, a precious lady at church sent or gave me a gas gift card every month. That is how I got to my two jobs. Help finance a missionary. There are so many things we can do, behind the scenes to use our talents. What is sad is if we leave them dormant and don’t use them for the glory of God. If we hide our talents, we are too scared to use them, we waste them. We might have been someone else’s salvation, their calm, their peace, their difference between having something to eat that day or going hungry.
In Matthew 25:14-30 and in Luke 19:11-27, we read about the parable of the talents. Three servants were given a certain amount of money by their master who left his home on a trip. One was given five talents. One was given two talents. The other was given one talent. A talent was equal to one man’s daily work. The first two used their talents wisely and gained from their service. The last one hid his talent and did not use his, because he was afraid. Their reward was not based on the amount they received but rather how they used their talent, or money. Their faithfulness and knowledge, of how to use it. What we consider to be something very small for someone, can affect the rest of their lives, and give the giver many rewards as well. Jesus shows us that it is important to use our talents wisely or we will have to give account of the unwise use of them, at the end of time on judgment day. Have you ever thought about that?
No matter what season of life we are in, use the talents that God has given you for His good. Life changes. We change. But we have many talents given us, in service to God, in our different seasons. No matter where you find yourself today, think about what God has given you and the passion you have for a certain thing and use it for His glory.
1 Peter 4:10-11 reads “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks let him speak as the oracles of God. If any one ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Remember, BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED!
Till next time!
Keela