Bloom Where you are Planted

When we get to know our Savior, we learn His attributes, and we know we can count on Him and this gives us Hope in Hopeless circumstances. God will cause us to blossom like a rose in the dessert.

Gloria Gaither wrote in "Because He Lives" the story behind the song, that in the early years of their ministry, they had a pavement driveway put in up to their offices. This was exciting and a big deal, and as they watched with anticipation as the graders came and prepared the driveway and layers of sand and gravel were brought in. Finally, on top of everything, a layer of asphalt was poured. How exciting! The next spring Gloria looked out of the window and saw a tiny blade of grass coming through a small crack in the asphalt. How could it be that tiny blade of grass pushed through all of those layers?

Laura Story wrote a song, "Blessings" about her journey through her husband's brain tumor surgery and recovery. People identify with what she has learned because we all have our "story" of the hard things that weigh us down and threaten to crush our faith. But because there is a deep-rooted faith, our weak little blade of grass or flower stem pushes through the dry earth and the cracks in the asphalt of life and a somehow a flower blossoms.

Isaiah 35:1,2 Wilderness and desert will sing joyously, the badlands will celebrate and flower-
Like the crocus in spring, bursting into blossom, a symphony of song and color.
Mountain glories of Lebanon-a gift. Awesome Carmel, stunning Sharon-gifts.
GOD's resplendent glory, fully on display GOD awesome, GOD majestic.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon wrote in his Morning and Evening Devotional:

..."Knowest thou not that day follows night, that flood comes after ebb, that spring and summer succeed winter? Hope thou then! Hope thou ever! For God fails thee not. Dost thou not know that thy God loves thee in the midst of all this? Mountains, when in darkness hidden, are as real as in day, and God's love is as true to thee now as it was in thy brightest moments. No father chastens always: thy Lord hates the rod as much as thou dost; he only cares to use it for that reason which should make thee willing to receive it, namely, that it works thy lasting good. Thou shalt yet climb Jacob's ladder with the angels, and behold him who sits at the top of it-thy covenant God. Thou shalt yet, amidst the splendours of eternity, forget the trials of time, or only remember them to bless the God who led thee through them, and wrought thy lasting good by them. Come, sing in the midst of tribulation. Rejoice even while passing through the furnace. Make the wilderness to blossom like the rose! Cause the desert to ring with thine exulting joys, for these light afflictions will soon be over, and then "forever with the Lord," thy bliss shall never wane" Spurgeon, C. H. (2006). Morning and evening : Daily readings Evening, July 21

"Faint not nor fear, his arms are near, He changeth not, and thou art dear;
Only believe and thou shalt see, That Christ is all in all to thee."

Joyce Hayes
Artist-in-residence at America's Keswick