by I debated about carrying on this devotional as an addendum but Mrs. Kim encouraged me to do so. However, as I was debating it, the Lord brought more Biblical truths to mind. I’m glad that I waited so HE could show me so much more! So, let’s take another look about “Blooming Where You Are Planted”.
To refresh your memory, I was enchanted by a small clump of wild daisies blooming on the side of the road last month where we turn off to go to church. The Lord brought several thoughts to mind including how they bloomed on tough, hard soil, how that they were not concerned that they were growing in such an undesirable place, and lastly, they held their heads up high in all kinds of circumstances.
How disappointed I was the next week, after this was published, to find out the mowers came by and mowed them down! “How could they?!!!”
Then, God showed me some spiritual applications. At times, we ALL feel like we have been “mowed down”. We try to do something special but no one appreciates it or it is belittled. Or, maybe someone else takes the credit! Boom! You feel mowed down!
As the month progressed, other, later-blooming, weed flowers soon occupied the space where those daisies were blooming. They were getting the attention! Thinking of the cycle of life, I was assured that, next year, they would grow again as their roots were deep. When we get mowed down, our spiritual depth and roots will be an indication of how we will bounce back.
Mark 4:15-20 “And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their heart. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness. And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.”
The second truth I discovered was that we need to be a witness and testimony for God all the time. We have no idea how much time God gives each of us here on this earth to bloom. We must work while we can! Those daisies were not given a specific time to bloom. In fact, they may have had additional time. Because of some torrential rain, the Department of Transportation was behind schedule! None of us are guaranteed more time, though!
Thirdly, while driving home from our ladies meeting a few weeks later, the hilly embankments along the highway were now beaming with more life and color, including more daisies! I saw thousands of new daisies! So much so that, at times, it looked like the hillside was covered with new snow!
What did I learn from this? We may feel like we are the only ones serving God at times! Those daisies on the corner of the road, had no idea that our valley was covered in more! While those few were snuffed out, there were many more to bring joy through their beauty. We may feel like a small minority but God has other Christians all over the world that are also bringing joy and hope to others.
Hebrews 12:1 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”
“Lord, do you have more for me to learn?” Yes, He did! While our lives are but a vapor, we have eternal life! The Christian will live forever in heaven, no matter how beaten down they become in this life! You may feel mowed down because of health, family, workplace, or financial problems. Maybe it is stress or the state of affairs with your government. In many of these cases, the ultimate outcome is far from being in your own personal control! Again, it goes back to how deeply we are rooted in Christ! So, that taught me another lesson!
Today, (about a month since the flowers were mowed down), we were once again driving that same road. To my
surprise—DAISIES!!! They were already growing again! Even though their tops were destroyed, those roots were still alive! They were still receiving nutrients and had the power to grow again! So, no matter how many times I get knocked down or mowed down, as long as my roots are grounded in the Lord, I will continue to receive nourishment and can get up once again!
The mowers will, undoubtedly, come by again and those daisies will sadly be mowed down–maybe even several times over the course of the summer! But, one thing is for sure–they will come again next Spring! As they drop their seeds, they will bring more back with them, too!
Some say that my husband and I have gone through some rough times while we were on the mission field. When you are in the middle of it, you don’t take notice of it as much. You keep trusting God and just keep doing what you are planted to do! My prayer is that the experiences of being mowed down will help strengthen my roots and as God brings me back again to bloom, that I will bring many more with me!
Psalm 126:6 “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
