My dad sent me a picture the other day. It was a picture of these leaves sprouting out of the ground.
This is not an unusual thing. This is what leaves do in the spring. But, the reason why it meant something is that we’ve been trying to get rid of this plant for years.
When we planted them, there were four. They didn’t do too well in the yard, so my mom decided she wanted them removed. But this one plant returned.
Last year, my mom decided that she would leave the plant in the ground because obviously it was meant to be there. I didn’t mention that she was beautiful with white trim on the edges, and her leaves were a pretty, shiny, greeny green, did I? Still, my Dad and I had other plans. We’d decided she messed with our landscaping design – so she must go.
And yet, here she was again.
A Good Place to Grow
There will be times in our lives where people will try to cut us down or remove us from a situation when it wasn’t in their job description to do so.
It may be a co-worker who attempts to sabotage you by speaking poorly of you. Or, the church member who goes out of her way to exclude you from activities or make sure your invitation gets “lost” – when all you want to do is serve the Lord. It can be the PTA moms who attempt to silence you because your Christian beliefs will not allow you to compromise.
It made me think of how God will plant you in a place and have you remain and grow there until He sees fit, despite what anyone else has to say about it – even when that someone is you!
Yes, sometimes, we too, seek to extricate ourselves from certain situations, but God will block it if it is not time to move. There have been relationships we tried to leave but couldn’t. Or jobs we have tried to quit but kept getting sucked in.
There have even been opportunities that we tried to sabotage because we felt unqualified. BUT GOD sent that one person who slapped you upside the head and said, “Girl. You better get this blessing!”
Are You Buried in Rich Soil?
Where we are planted, we are meant to grow. And get this…while there, God will supply all we need: the soil (proper environment), nutrients (lessons), and the water (the sustenance.)
It took some time for me to grasp this. And sometimes I still raise an eyebrow. Because, Hello? What are we waiting for, Jesus? But where we are planted is where God intends for us to be.
Romans 8:29 (MSG) says, “God knew what He was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love Him along the same lines as the life of His Son.”
So, with that in mind, even when our problems are of our own doing, there is a purpose for them. Even when we are minding our own business, but face persecution, there is a purpose. Even when we are planted and someone seeks to uproot us – purpose.
The truth is, however, while we are going through it (and sometimes, even after that) we don’t know His plan or purpose. We just know it doesn’t feel good.
But there is one thing that I do know. The goal of following Jesus is for our hearts to be transformed to be more like His. I have a sneaky suspicion that the trials of being uprooted and persecuted – like we persecuted that poor beautiful plant – help us to grow and be strengthened, in Him.
Bloom where you’re planted.
The Word says in Philippians 1:6, “…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Every single thing that happens is a part of this good work of shaping us into who He means for us to be and to be more like Christ.
Think of the people who were bullied in school, but turned out to be the kind of people who fight for justice. There are some who came up in Foster Care who are child advocates because they know what it is like to be overlooked. There are some who have to sit at jobs they hate because there are people who need to be encouraged or ministered to. Or, just because God is maturing them to be patient and learn how to sit through the wilderness.
Did I ring your doorbell yet?
SO, WHAT’S THE PLAY CALL?
Put your hope and faith in His Word.
The Word says in Romans 8:28, “All things work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.”
No matter what it looks or feels like remember, as Travis Greene would say, “He’s intentional, never failing.” Wherever it is you are planted is for God’s Divine purpose for your life. It will not be in vain.
Have you ever had to bloom against all odds? Tell us about it!
Time to Clean House 
It is no surprise to hear that Oscar winner, Jennifer Hudson, will portray the international powerhouse that is Aretha Franklin. Now audiences can plan to see this highly-anticipated biopic, 
The aroma of turkey, dressing, and appetizing dishes permeated the house. Laughter and conversation created a warm atmosphere and seeing relatives I hadn’t seen in years gave me flashbacks from years ago. It was Thanksgiving, the holiday that brings family & friends together from far away places to enjoy warm company and delicious food. I had just finished getting my young daughters situated at their kid-sized picnic table outside and was walking back into the house ready to serve myself. We had traveled to Florida for the holiday and were gathering with many family members you only see on occasion (and via Facebook). Just as I closed the door to walk inside someone made eye contact with me. As I walked over to give her a hug she said, 
But this doesn’t give anyone permission to comment, insult, praise or share their opinions – about your body, what you are eating, how you look or the food you and your family choose to eat. It’s really just not their concern – or at least, it shouldn’t be. 
I put on mascara. Something I do from time to time, but rarely. According to one of my closest friends, who happens to be a makeup artist (MUA), the more coats the better. She suggests six so, of course, I went for 6. I got to the fourth coat and my lashes basically said, “I wish you would…”, so I stopped lol. So, it looks like 4 coats of mascara are my limit.
Nope, this isn’t about mascara or hair products, but rather about how what was meant to work for someone else just may not work for you. And no, I’m not telling you not to try whatever from YouTube, but I am saying that another’s “fail-proof” method wasn’t exactly thought out with your success in mind.
When I began to write this article, the song “What do the lonely do at Christmas” by The Emotions came to mind. Perhaps it is because I remember my mother playing it every single year the weeks leading up to Christmas. It is one of those R&B songs that orphaned, single, or widowed people tend to connect with during the holidays as it shines a bright light on loneliness with these lyrics:
The desire to be with other people during the holidays is natural – we are all human. Truth be told, God created us for companionship with others. The Bible tells us “It is not good that the man should be alone,” in Genesis 2:18. There is no amount of shopping or baking that could fill the emptiness of being without a companion. And, while it might not seem natural, it is certainly alright to mourn and be sad during such a season. 
Our Father God has an extraordinary love for us and He does not want us to live in sadness or feel as if we are forgotten or alone. His desire is for us to find peace and joy in Him and then share it with those around us. John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do, I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
Teammate 
When American slavery was first abolished, many of the slaves were afraid to leave the plantations. While some were threatened with physical harm, there were some who I believe were 
The key is to remember who you are! Whenever something crosses your mind that is contrary to your God-given identity, you have to understand that it’s the enemy. Knock him back down with the Word.
We may have our days when we don’t feel like reading or praying. At times, we may do these out of discipline and not necessarily desire – but that’s okay! As long as you are feeding yourself the Word and praying it over your life – you can’t lose!
Directed by Clint Eastwood and based on true events, “
