This past week I was so happy to see the dogwood trees blooming. Each day on my way to work and back I saw beautiful white and pink trees in full bloom. They were beautiful and brought a smile to my face and joy to my heart. As I thought about them I remembered how God caused Aaron’s staff to bud and bloom (Numbers 17:8) and thought that God can make something beautiful out of anything – even my life. Just like I looked at those trees each day, people are watching us. I wonder what people see in my life. Is it something beautiful or does it more resemble a barren branch with no beauty at all?

I had some post-it notes once that said “Bloom Where You Are Planted”.  No matter what stage of life we are in or what is going on in or lives, we can still “bloom” and produce Godly fruit that will hopefully point others to Jesus. But, we have to give ourselves over to The Gardener’s hands. Connected to God through Jesus Christ, we have the Holy Spirit in us which empowers and guides us. We are connected to the life-giving vine that will nourish our souls and produce visible fruit (or beautiful blooms).

(Isaiah 35)   “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”

Enjoying those dogwood trees also reminded me to enjoy the blessings as I receive them. They come and go all the time but if we don’t take the time to enjoy them and thank God for them, we are missing out on one of the greatest blessings of all – a loving and thankful relationship with The Creator of the Universe, our Loving Father in Heaven. I don’t know why He showers us with blessings as fickle as we are but I am truly thankful. He has been more than patient with me. His blessings are new every day! I try not to take His blessings for granted.

Ephesians 1:3 – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Well, this weekend we had lots of rain and wind with some thunderstorms thrown in. I’m sure when I drive to work tomorrow most of those blooms will be on the ground. But, new blessings will come in their place. I’m going to make a point to look for them and then thank God for eyes to see and a heart to appreciate.  Then, I’m going to do my best to “Bloom Where I Am Planted.” How about you?