The Courage to Bloom
“Sometimes our toughest hardship leads to our greatest purpose.” – Lysa Terkeurst
Do you ever feel like you’re in a boat, paddling with all your might but with only one oar, and you find yourself going round and round in circles? (I’m not a boat person, so forgive me if this analogy doesn’t hit.) But sometimes I feel like this, and instead of asking for help – or another oar – I just keep spinning, hoping this next stroke will take me somewhere new.
But it never does.
This week as I was walking inside from picking up dog poop (my life is REALLY glamorous, ya’ll), I noticed this tiny little burst of sunshine in the grass.
I stooped down, set down the crap I was literally carrying, and took a few moments to notice and appreciate this small gift in the yard.
I think when we find ourselves in really hard seasons, in never-ending waters, or in situations that leave us feeling completely stuck, it’s easy to shut down. It’s easy to blame others – or maybe even God. It’s easy to put on blinders to the good things that are right in front of us, like this teeny tiny little flower.
The phrase “bloom where you’re planted” feels very over-used these days, but what if we change it just a bit and hold onto the truth that we have been planted and get to bloom. We aren’t forced to make the best of a bad situation; we don’t love and serve a God who controls our every thought and word. Instead, He is a God of invitation, welcoming us in the hurt and the grief and the sorrow. He resources and redeems us so we can bloom. Blooming is a gift, not a chore. Growth isn’t promised, and it doesn’t come easily. But we are given opportunities to grow and bloom because He planted us, not the other way around.
Lately I’ve been reflecting on the work I have the privilege to do, raising money for a truly amazing organization. This is one of those jobs people in my field dream of landing, and I do my very best not to take this honor and opportunity for granted. But even more so than this specific job, I never want to take for granted how much the Lord has grown me – in my professional skills, in my personal financial life, and in my relationships. These changes didn’t happen overnight. It has taken years of therapy and intentional spiritual practices and a willingness to learn and humbling myself, which is when God can best work in and through us.
If you’re in the boat with one oar right now, know that you aren’t alone. Know that the seemingly endless waters are held in His hand. Know that there are small joys, even when you’re surrounded by crap (literally or figuratively). Know that you are never forgotten and that Jesus has a plan and a purpose for not just your life, but for days and hours and moments. He is both a big-picture Creator and a God of the most minute details. He cares for you and is shaping you right where you are. I pray you have the strength and the courage to embrace the gift of blooming in the middle of it all.
Reflection Questions – Feel free to use these for journaling if you’d like!
1. What does the gift of blooming look like in this current season of your life? What can you do to ensure you are growing and blooming?
2. Name at least 3 small blessings you can focus on when the “hard” feels overwhelming.
3. How have you seen God in the smallest details of your life? How have you seen Him in the big picture?
Gratitude: As I briefly mentioned above, I’ve been basking in the goodness of God’s redemption lately, especially as it pertains to my work. Ten years ago, I was climbing out of a terrible financial season of life, where I was overcome with debts I couldn’t pay and a whole lot of shame. I couldn’t talk about money for more than 5 minutes without becoming completely overwhelmed and emotional. A few years later, the Lord thought it would be funny to put me in a job where I was literally talking about money ALL. DAY. LONG. And I chuckle about it every time this comes to mind, because only Jesus could take something that caused me so much shame and anxiety and turn it into one of my greatest strengths – one that saves lives and brings His Kingdom here to earth. I ask people for money and get to see the fruit of their generosity every day; it’s truly a gift, and I’m extra grateful for that this week.
Appreciations:
1. My husband has really gotten into feeding birds this spring, so he bought this hook and feeder and put it up in the backyard last weekend. This morning, I got to see Woody the Woodpecker yelling at another bird for getting too close to him while he ate. He was a feisty little guy!
2. It’s small, but having my craft supplies more organized is giving me LIFE right now!
3. I’m loving these organic oyster mushrooms from Windy City Mushrooms! I purchased them at the local organic farm, and they were delicious cooked in butter with a little garlic, salt & pepper. YUM.
What are the big and little things you’re grateful for this week, friends?
I’ll end with an excerpt from “A Liturgy for Friday’s Table Blessings,” Every Moment Holy Vol. I (which is coincidentally on sale for $20 right now!):
“O God of power and strength,
Today we offer praise for things larger and mightier than ourselves:
for towering cloud columns,
for lightning flash and thunder crack,
for rugged rise of mountain
and seething swell of oceans in storm,
for rushing wind and spiring tree,
for love greater than we can comprehend.
For these we give you thanks,
for they remind us that we are small beside you,
our Maker, and that we are the children
of a might God and Father.
We give you thanks for all things magnificent,
mighty, massive, monumental,
for great creatures and colossal planets
and all things that set us in awe of what is vaster than ourselves.
These things render us good service, O Lord,
for the wonder they inspire is a window directing
our eyes and our thought to you,
who are vaster and more infinite and awesome,
who are fiercer in your love and mightier in your strength
and more holy in your righteousness
than all created things.”
Have a great week, dear friends, as you embrace whatever God has in store for you. From the vast and colossal to the tiniest little flower, He is doing good things in this world – and in you, too.
