How You Can Surely Bloom Today

So if you’ve felt afraid to put yourself out there because you feel less than perfect, because you’re afraid what others might say, then reach out your hands and open your heart, sweet sister. You are already perfectly loved, and you only have to please the One who has already declared you are a delight to his heart.  Holley Gerth, You’re Already Amazing

She runs into the kitchen and looks up at me with silver dollar eyes. Her words tumble out:

“Mama! Did you see what’s on the side of the house by where the garden stuff is? Did you see what’s blooming??”

I give her my answer with a puzzled look.

“You have to go now and look!” she says with enthusiasm. “They are so pretty!”

No I had not seen it because I almost never go on the west side of our house, the ugly side that holds nothing but rocks and trash cans and garden hoses. And lots of weeds. If I should have to go to that side of the house, I’m so task oriented – grabbing trash cans or the garden hose – I don’t look around much.

So today I open the gate again and finally see what my daughter raves about: Tucked in two corners next to the tall fence, not one two small cherry trees bloom ferociously. {I should say I think they’re cherry trees, probably choke cherry trees. But I’ma not sure.} We’ve lived in this house a year and a half, and not once did I notice these two beautiful trees hiding in plain sight.

And as I sat staring at those lovely beauties thriving in the ugliest part of our yard, the Lord told me to hear this loud and clear:

The placement of these trees doesn’t diminish their beauty, but it does conceal it. Shut up between two gates and a tall fence on the neglected side of the house, no one saw except Me.  I noticed every leaf forming, every flower blooming. And in spite of the fact they aren’t in the loveliest of locations or enjoyed by your family and neighbors, these trees did their job just as heartily for me as they would if they were placed front and center in your yard. You can move them to the most visited botanical garden, but I won’t find their beauty any more pleasing. They are enough as they are where they are.

Kristen, bloom right where you are because you are enough, too. Quit striving to please anyone but Me. Besides, I am much easier to please than man. Chances are, some will criticize your choices, your beliefs, your priorities. That’s okay. You answer to Me, not them. You – wonderfully created you – please me fully. And as long as My will for you is your own, you will bloom most beautifully right where you are.

So will you.

So where ever this new week takes you, walk in confidence that you take your Daddy’s love and delight with you. May His voice be clear as you strive to please Him and only Him. And no matter where He plants you, bloom for Him. Because you are enough as you are where you are.

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