About a week ago I was talking with my wife Marcie and she shared a thought that I’d like to pass on to you. Before I get into that I’d better give you a little history.
Marcie and I grew up together in Sunny San Diego. The day we got married is the day we packed all our things into her car and drove out here to Minnesota for a new life. As you can imagine, the culture and weather shock were difficult for her to adjust to. The first winter was rough on her to say the least. Over time we’ve bought a house and added pets to the family. We’re planted here. We’ve grown roots. It would take a lot of work for us to get up and move again.
Even though we’ve been out here for 5 years Marcie has always, in the back of her mind, been trying to get through this phase so that we can move back to California or somewhere warmer. When we live as if our situation in life is temporary, it changes things. We don’t get too attached to others around us. We don’t make long range plans.
A few months back Marcie had found a journal that had inscribed in it the words “Bloom Where You Are Planted”. This thought wouldn’t leave Marcie and God began to confirm in her that He put her here in St Paul for a reason. In Acts 17 Paul says to the crowd “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” He put us where he wants us.
If God has planted you where you are how does this change the way you view your purpose? If God has planted your neighbors next door to you could it be that he has a purpose for you getting to know them and share His love with them?
Get to know your neighbors. Make friends. You don’t live where you live on accident. God is at work.
Bloom where you are planted!