Grazing Grace

BLOOM

WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED

It’s not that the daffodil in the photo below is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, but there’s something pretty special about it, nonetheless. On one of my morning walks, I was on a trail next to a creek. I could see something yellow off in the distance beside the creek, so I walked over to see what it was. It was the double daffodil shown in the photo. I looked all around to see if there were any other daffodil plants nearby. I couldn’t find another one anywhere. There was just this one plant, standing beside the creek, isolated and completely by itself. I kind of scratched my head, wondering how this could have happened. How did a daffodil spring up in the “middle of nowhere” where there’s not another daffodil in sight? I could only come to one conclusion. The bulb of this plant had to have been transported down the creek by way of floodwaters. The flow of the creek’s current transported it to this small bend in the creek. Then silt and debris covered it, basically planting it in its place.

I know you’ve heard the old saying “Bloom where you’re planted,” but here’s the best illustration of this saying I’ve ever seen. Just think about it. More than likely, the bulb of this plant went through tremendous upheaval when the rainstorm that uprooted it washed it downstream. It endured the rushing rapids. It overcame being pounded against rocks and tree limbs as the rushing current carried it further from its original home. When it finally came to its resting place, it was completely exposed to the elements – the cold of winter and the scorching afternoons of summer.

But, little by little, silt and debris began to cover the bulb. Each time the creek overflowed its banks, the bulb was being covered with nutrient-rich soil. And, because it was right next to the creek, it had a constant supply of fresh water – the life’s blood of a flower. Yes, the creek that had flooded and created such a traumatic experience for the daffodil had now become its life source. All of the potential of the bulb remained intact inside its hull. With the rich soil covering it, and the creek water feeding it, it sent out its roots to establish itself upon its new foundation at

the bend in the creek. Once its roots were stabilized, it shot up out of the ground and sprouted, reaching toward the sun. One warm day, a bud emerged from the sprouts and a blossom began to develop. Then, with a final burst of energy, the vibrant yellow petals unfolded to display the beauty that was cleverly concealed by the Maker, inside the hull of the once-dormant bulb.

Now, the beauty of its petals and its vibrant colors beckon all who pass by, “Come and see me! Let me tell you my story.” I heard it call out to me that morning as I walked by, and I listened to the story it told – the same story I’ve just shared with you.

If we’d be completely honest, we’ve all gone through a couple of traumatic storms during our lifetime. It’s an inescapable fact – the storms of life come to us all. Some of life’s storms have been so traumatic that they uprooted us. We didn’t think we’d ever bloom again. They moved us to places we didn’t want to be. Some left us feeling lonely and isolated, just like the lone daffodil. But God has put incredible potential inside each of us, both to grow and to thrive, in spite of the adversity we’ve experienced. And, when we take a closer look at our lives, we discover that the storms we thought would destroy us have actually made us stronger and more vibrant. Now, we can tell our story to others who themselves are going through the storms of life. We can testify to the fact that God can take our negative circumstances and turn them around for good.

That’s what Joseph discovered. After being sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, and enduring much adversity in his life, he was used by God to save both his family and the entire nation of Egypt when a severe famine struck the land. Had he not gone through the storms of his life he would not have been in “the right place at the right time.” Joseph testified to his brothers, many years after they sold him into slavery, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).

I don’t deny that we humans have an evil enemy who wants to destroy us. Jesus told us about this enemy in John 10:10 when He said, “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” Even though our enemy sends storms our way to try and destroy us, God has the incredible ability to turn those struggles and hardships into something beautiful as a testimony to His grace at work in our lives. Yes, God gets great glory from our lives when we learn how to “bloom where we’ve been planted.”

Jeff Register Building & Truss

40’ x 60’ x 12’ - Installed Roof only, closed gables or Roof only, open gables

30’ x 40’ x 10’ - Installed Roof Only, open gables

Office - 601-928-5309 and 601-928-5308 Jregister@registermetals.com Locations: 321 Madison Avenue, Wiggins, MS 39577

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