As we enter springtime, we notice that certain flowers bloom first; usually I see the daffodils and when I was growing up we could occasionally catch the blooming of pink lady slippers in the woods beside our house. We knew then it was “Springtime.” I have always enjoyed the “newness” of a month and a year; making resolutions and envisioning a brand new start. One of the greatest quotes I have ever heard is “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” We can have this perspective every day and live in anticipation and letting the past go. There is some need to remember parts of the past to help us learn and to grow, yet we need to be careful to not let the past negatively impact our today and tomorrow.
        Another great statement I have heard is to “Bloom where you are planted.” Where are you? Do you have a positive attitude about the home you are in, the family you are a part of, the workplace or school you attend daily? We are in charge of our attitude towards where we are. Our thoughts impact our feelings and actions, therefore we need to be intentional about having  our focus in the right place.  If our current situation is less than our ideal, we can make the choice to wait expectantly for a “new place”. In our waiting we need to trust God and seek His help daily, and sometimes minute-to-minute. It’s also possible we are in a great place at this time of our lives and are blooming as He intended. We are letting the fruit of the Holy Spirit flow in and through us as given in Galatians 5:22: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.
    What do you need to Bloom? Soil, fertilizer, sun and water; and how deep are your roots? Colossians 2:7 “Have your roots planted deep in Christ, grow in Him. Get your strength from Him. “  Once we are planted, we need nourishment which will come from time with the Son. As we grow, we also need the fellowship of others, the truth from God’s word and the opportunity to shine.
Our Blooming brings beauty and encouragement to those around us. We do not even know, as flowers do not know, how many people are observing our blooms. Our responsibility is to use the gifts and talents God has given us, blooming where we are, and let Him take care of the rest. Even when you have a challenge where you are, you can embrace the newness of the day and shine. Shine in your attitude, in your care for others, and in your acceptance of your place; which, although it may be tough, is not unknown to God. As Romans 3:38-39 tell us, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Further strength comes from the writer of Hebrews who says: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…. So that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” 
       So, bloom where you are planted and remember to get the nourishment you need. Take note also that flowers do not show their outward bloom all of the time; some of their growing time is invisible to others. Be careful of having too high of expectations of yourself, or feeling like a failure because your blooming is unseen. I have not thought of that before so I will encourage myself to be careful of this for my own life as well as observing how others are “blooming.” Sometimes the growing takes place where others cannot see, and at the right time, God’s time, blooming will appear.
Blessings
Jeri

​What stones do you need rolled away? What do you need resurrected? During this time of Easter with reflection upon Christ and His sacrifice for us, we can be reminded that He overcame persecution and death. The same POWER that raised Him from that grave is in us, if we have asked Him to be Lord of our life. Let’s not be like the children of Israel who often forgot that God had rescued them and saved them with His power before, and yet they would complain and wonder how they would survive. Let us REMEMBER and go forward, knowing that God does not neglect us or forget us.  As Romans 8:38-39 says, “Nothing can separate us from the love of God.” Jesus even tells us in John 14:12 that:  “Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these.”
Let us first identify the stones in our life, whether they are issues with family, schoolmates, coworkers, finances, stress, anxiety or medical concerns. Next, have faith that God is able. He is the overcomer, the all-powerful and our Redeemer. Come to Him, call upon Him and receive His peace. Rely on His strength and His promises. He truly does: ”Work all things out for our good, to those who trust in Him.” Romans 8:28  He looks after us: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.  God cares for us as Matthew 6 tells us: “Do not be anxious about your life… look at the birds of the air, they neither sow nor reap or gather into barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? …But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow.” The Bible is God’s word, His words, and yes His promises to us. The more I read them the more secure I am in my faith and in the God of Heaven. Take time to read and reflect, and let His truths bring you joy and peace as you wait for the stone to be rolled away.
Blessings,
Jeri