HOW to Bloom where you are Planted
Take a lesson from the Dandelion to discover the secret blessings that come from making the most of your current situation!
Have you heard this quote before?
“Bloom where you are planted.” Are your eyes rolling? Mine used to as well… It’s probably not what you want to hear when you feel dissatisfied with your home life, workplace, town, or even country. You might be struggling in your home life, or your career, lacking true friendships, or simply lacking the feeling of purpose – and you’re dreaming of a way out. You might be asking “What is wholesome around here?”, “why am I stuck in this evil, crowded place?” “or what plan could God possibly have for me in this horrible situation?”
But my new appreciation for plants (mainly weeds) has helped me apply this important lesson to my life, and I hope it helps you too. Think about a seed…. It doesn’t get to choose where it gets planted. Neither do we.
How does Bloom where you are planted apply to real life?
Seeds and folks alike – some get lucky, others, not so much. But I believe that there is a great blessing in making the most out of the circumstances you’re dealt. God only knows what this situation might be preparing you for, how it might be a blessing to others, and where it might take you next. Let me share with you an analogy that helped me to think about ourselves like little seeds, and how it relates to the outcome of our lives.
Think of your own Life like a Seed:
Some seeds are lucky and get an amazing start… Their heritage has been mindfully curated. They’ve been planned for ahead and a beautiful, spacious, and fertile bed of soil is created just for them. Carefully they are sown by hand with love…spaced, watered, weeded, and nurtured until they reach fruition. They are treasured, and appreciated, and may even win blue ribbons for their beauty and bounty.
Some seeds just fall off of their parent plants into the soil below. Call it a happy accident…. Hey, the soil was good enough for their parent to survive. They may be a little crowded, have a lot of competition, and not yield as much fruit as their pampered counterparts, but they’ll probably make it.
Some seeds have it rough from the get-go… Their parent plant is considered by most to be a worthless nuisance. Not a flower, but a “weed.” The humble seeds are scattered by the wind, with no direction or guarantee of the soil on which they’ll fall. There’s a chance they could germinate in any old place, then be discovered and get transplanted into someone else’s beautiful garden bed. But more likely, they’ll end up in the crack of a sidewalk. But a good seed, can make the best of any situation and turn their entire life into a gift.
She brought life-giving oxygen, as well as brightness and joy to a desolate place.
– Rachel decker
Look at the humble Dandelion
A scruffy, nuisance of a “weed” that people toil to eradicate from their lawns and sidewalks. On that sidewalk, she gets scorched by the unshaded sun, stepped on, and overlooked. Yet she still stretches upward for the light, yellow petals smiling humbly up at passersby, all the while growing strong deep roots that seek nourishment away from the contamination of the world above.
But if I stooped to notice her, and carefully plucked her from treacherous habitat, she would impart gifts to me beyond that of the most show-stopping flower.
Her sweet flower is a tender and delightful treat. Rich with vitamins and fiber, her bitter leaves can nourish me. And her powerful tap root can cleanse toxins from my liver. She was humble and deeply rooted, growing strong through her perseverance and positivity – despite her circumstances. She brought life-giving oxygen, as well as brightness and joy to a desolate place. And her entire being was a useful and purposeful gift to whoever partook.
Could you already be in the right place – at least for now?
Take a lesson from the dandelion. You are a precious creation of God. You do have a purpose. But you must first listen to Him and be obedient to the wisdom of His ways, not the world’s foolishness. He has already given you everything you need, you just need the eyes to see it. Take a wholehearted look and take notice of the gifts and resources all around you, and within you. Be grateful and express that to the Lord directly and often! Do good with what you’ve already been given.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with dreaming of a more wholesome life for yourself and your family. Without question, some places lend themselves more to a feeling of peace, humility, nature, and closeness to God. But just because you’re not in that picturesque place yet, does not mean that you can’t stay pure, grow your faith and character, and do God’s work right where you are. The obstacles and challenges you face in this place will teach you lessons, make you stronger, and bless many people who cross your path. What if you are the only light shining in a dark place?
BE your best self and make the best of your situation
Regardless of circumstances, goodness and wholesomeness start inside your heart, like a seed. Remember that many good seeds land in terrible soil, yet still prevail. Other good seeds have a promising start but are fertilized with impure things that change their nature, rob their potential and all value from their fruits. It may be more difficult but strive not to “water” yourself with negative thoughts and words, unsavory friendships, filthy entertainment, laziness, rudeness, and unclean household habits. All of these things have natural consequences that rob your life of true joy, fulfilling relationships, and opportunities for all the good things you actually desire. Who you are is greatly determined by who you decide to be, despite your circumstances.
Do good with what you’ve already been given
Set a good example and good things will likely come to you
When you decide to be a better (more kind, humble, honest, and helpful) person and start behaving in that manner, you will find that the world changes around you a little. Burdens lift, anxiety melts, additions weaken, relationships strengthen and last longer. When you set a good example, people you encounter are likely to be kinder and more helpful in return. This leads to opportunity. Such opportunities just might pave the way to the physical place you desire to be at one day. However, you might also find that many good things will find their way to you.
Of course, there are some places diseased with such depravity and violence that they should be escaped from as soon as possible! Just be cautious about the means of your escape, as some are traps. Know that no ultimate good can come from evil gains. I advocate staying out of trouble, working hard, being honest, and doing good until a righteous hand extends you an opportunity to improve your situation through bettering yourself (not selling yourself out.)
Ask for “New Eyes” to see the potential already around you
With a more appreciative heart, resourceful mind, and creative hand, you just might be able to transform the place you already have into a wholesome oasis! I did! Ask God to show you, and you’ll likely see ways to utilize your resources in a more exciting and beneficial way. Find contentment and joy in the hand-me-down furniture, thrift shop decorations, weedy lawn, tiny local park, or even the few kind, God-seeking souls in your workplace or neighborhood.
Decide to be grateful and feel content with what you have right now. Consider the lessons you’re learning and skills you’re sharpening now and how they may help you in the future. In the meantime, commit to being kind and helpful to other people!
Do you ever feel like a dandelion?
You’re probably not a supermodel, nor would you want to be. You might find yourself to be a mix of bitter and sweet, misunderstood, unappreciated, and stuck somewhere you’re not sure you can thrive. But do you feel you have a greater purpose and gifts that are being underutilized? Are you dreaming about the day you can be transplanted into the lush and peaceful garden, while today you’re in a crack where others either trample you or ignore you altogether? Know that you are not alone. And remember that you do have the power to change your circumstances, whether you move away or not.
Like me, you are likely someone who is humbly trying to improve yourself, your relationships, your circumstances, find purpose, and give back. We may be untold miles away from each other, but if you commit to bloom where you are planted – and so do many more of us – our circles of influence could very well meet!
….then let’s follow her example!
Weeds are tenacious, aren’t they? Many possess amazing gifts and benefits despite their humble appearance. We see dandelions pop up and thrive in the strangest and most unwelcoming places. Plus, they are prolific spreaders! If we learn to be a little more like dandelions, we can grow resilient wherever we land, and then replicate our goodness far and wide! Wouldn’t the world become a “dandy” place?! (See what I did there?)
Bloom where you are planted, and aim to spread good seeds! Please know that if you found your way to this blog, you are on fertile ground; there is love and nourishment here. Stay tuned, check back often, engage, and help spread this good news and empowering message.
If you found your way to this blog, you are on fertile ground; there is love and nourishment here.
– Rachel Decker
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