Grammie's Garden

The inspiration for this site is my personal motto "Bloom Where You're Planted".  In the picture, the little flower was planted in an unsightly crack in the road. Instead of withering and dying, it pushed through the ugly concrete and displayed its beautiful yellow bloom to the world.

Even though this is my proclaimed motto, I fail miserably at living by it.  I fail to “bloom” in stressful situations.  My blooms are full of weeds. 

But you know what?  Even though I produce lots of weeds, I am still producing some blooms.  And my hope is that as I grow, there will be less weeds and more and more beautiful blooms.  

What is the lesson from the yellow flower?   We may not always like where we are planted, but we can choose to be a blessing to others in the midst of our circumstances.  We can choose to be content and do our very best in whatever situation.  Not by our own strength but drawing our strength from God.   Where are you planted today?  A stressful job?  An unhappy marriage?  Struggling with finances?  In the hospital?  You can still bloom. 

In Philippians, Paul states that despite his personal struggles, he has learned to be satisfied, regardless of whether he has abundance or is in need. He states that he can do all things through Christ, who gives him strength. 

Philippians 4:11-13 … for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.(NIV)