{{Today is Friday!!! It is the day I link with Lisa Jo Baker for Five Minute Friday. Here is how it works…. One word prompt. Five minutes. No editing. Lots of women. We all write on the same word.})
Today the word prompt is …. Bloom.
There are times when life can be compared to a desert …. dry, lifeless, barren. bleak, empty, lonely, uninviting, dehydrated, withered.
Perhaps this is why I have always disliked the saying, “Bloom where you are planted.”
It seemed to be said to me at times when people just did not know what else to say. Or perhaps they thought I had some control and could bloom wherever I would choose.
There are times life happens. There is no controlling the circumstances as they seem to barrel over you like a steam roller.
Much like a desert, the days suck the life right out of you leaving you feeling parched and withered.
As day turns to night, and night to day again, there is nothing happening as you look to the horizon.
It is at those times, by faith, we remember ….
The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom;
it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. (Isaiah 35: 1, NIV)
Much like the crocus, which blooms while it is still cold and snow is often still on the ground, God causes life to burst forth again.
He opens opportunities, changes circumstances, brings healing, restores relationships, binds wounds.
Why?
There the Lord will display his glory, the splendor of our God. (Isaiah 35:2b, NLT)
When something comes out of seemingly nothing, it is then and there the Lord is seen most visibly in our lives.
Like the crocus, our lives will burst into bloom.
I’m joining with … Five Minute Friday and Faith Filled Fri. and Friendship Fri. and Fellowship Fri. and Everyday Jesus and Essential Fri. .
Love that God causes the blooming! And I totally agree with you that people say this when they don’t know what else to say. I’ve been in a stuck place before and frankly didn’t feel like blooming where I was planted! Funny that we both used Isaiah 35 today…that happens so often and I always feel like it is confirmation for both of us. Much love to you!
Love how God confirms His Word through one word! Praying both of our lives burst with bloom in unexpected ways, Holly!
What a beautiful rendering, and in only five minutes! The crocus is a beautiful flower as well as being hardy and sturdy. I agree that it’s totally fine not to bloom on demand. Not to abuse a cliche, but look at the butterfly – can’t come out of the cocoon too soon. Or the chick hatching from the egg – you get the picture. We need darkness sometimes – it’s always darkest before the dawn. Oh, so many cliches but they are all true!
Laura, I love all the cliches you brought up. We do not bloom on demand. Growth takes time. I am reminded of the times in Scripture it says,”in the fulness of time.”
I just love the scripture references you used! Going to note those for future reference. Thank you!
Jolene, I am grateful the Scriptures spoke to you. Thank you for stopping here!
“Bloom where you are planted” is a great motto for our military family… It can seem hard sometimes to want to set down any kind of roots, but we always come back to the thought that GOD has placed us right where we are for a reason– and will help us bloom if we are willing to grow under His care.
Thanks for sharing this over at #EverydayJesus, Joanne. Blessings!
“For it is there the Lord will display His glory.” Oh to fully embrace that in every place we find ourselves. Thank you!
I agree with you about that cliched phrase! Beautiful post!
Really great post – love that you used that verse! My son’s name is Isaiah. 🙂
How fun to learn of your son’s name 🙂 Thank you & glad you enjoyed the post.
Love the scripture!