Bloom Where You're Planted

BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED

Let me give you a quick synopsis of where/how the sentiments in this particular blog came from.  I was on Facebook the other day and came across a post, complaining about a particular part of town that seems to have lost a lot of their commercial establishments, like grocery stores, restaurants, etc.  It seems the ones they had at one time have closed and none have reopened in their places.  There was a steady stream of replies to the post about how the area is completely run down, criminal activity is up, there is a larger than normal drug and homelessness problem in that part of town, along with abandoned homes and the like.  A local city councilman responded, trying to defend the city's efforts, but pointing out that the city cannot force businesses to open there and from his post, it sounded like the city is really trying to help that area of the city. That being said, I couldn't help but wonder what the residents themselves are doing to make their neighborhood better. I hope that they put in as much effort into improving their area as they did in making their complaints. Local governments and police departments can only do so much; it also takes involved citizens and people who are willing to go the extra mile to improve an area. They have to make a personal investment in their neighborhood--take ownership--even if they aren't the property owners. 

In Jeremiah 29:11, God says through Jeremiah, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  It's an often-quoted, very inspiring scripture. But what about when we aren't prospering?  

Standing alone, this scripture gets taken out of context.  It is a part of a letter Jeremiah sent to the elders among the EXILES taken from Jerusalem to Babylon. Yes, people removed from their homes, their country, their way of life--taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar.  So, no, God did not tell the people this when their lives were going good and everything was smooth sailin'.  

The preceding verses explain the situation:

⁴ This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: ⁵ “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. ⁶ Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. ⁷ Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” ⁸ Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. ⁹ They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord.

¹⁰ This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.

They have been taken into captivity and will remain in said captivity for 70 years, BUT the Lord is telling them in essence, to BLOOM WHERE THEY ARE PLANTED!  

Part 2 of this post relates to attitude.  In order to bloom in life, we must have a proper attitude.  I read another post of Facebook this morning and the person was referring to the upcoming holidays as "all BS anyway." That guy is definitely not blooming a pretty flower, is he?  Holidays are definitely a very stressful time of the year for a lot of people, but when one views them with a Godly attitude the stress is much reduced!  Thanksgiving?  Well, the name says it all.  An attitude of gratitude!  If you view Thanksgiving as a time to gather with your family and friends and BE THANKFUL for the many blessings you have been given and the family and friends you have, instead of dwelling on losses you've suffered, people who have hurt you, times when things just haven't gone your way, and that weird uncle you just can't stand to be around, then you will have a must better experience. Don't allow other people or circumstances to steal your joy! Be joyful despite your circumstances! Don't go around finding fault with everything and everybody; look for the GOOD, even in that weird uncle! (Hey, at least he gives ya something to laugh at!) There are many, many people around the world who don't get to gather with family and friends on holidays--and they really wish they could!  We also must teach our children the importance of gathering together with family and friends. A lot of children these days have no idea who their extended family is simply because their parents have not made an effort to allow the children to be a part of these gatherings. Loss of family closeness is truly a sad testament to our existence! Children need to understand the importance of this closeness, instead of growing up without any true roots. If parents have a bad attitude toward family gatherings, the children will too!

Christmas?  Christmas, with all its commercialization, is a crazy time of year, but again, it all comes back to attitude and the way we view it. If we keep in mind that we are celebrating the birth of the Messiah, instead of trying to locate the lastest trendy gift for our child, we will have a much better experience. If we view it as a time of spending quality time with family and friends, reconnecting with those we don't see often--and rejoicing that God sent His Son into the world to save our sorry, sinful hides, we will have a much more joyful season.  And again, we have to teach our children this!

I pray that everyone who reads this will BLOOM WHERE THEY ARE PLANTED!