Bloom where you are planted.

I thought of this yesterday as I realized that I have some great conversations and meet amazing people in the waiting room and hallways of the hospitals. I met the nicest older gentleman there yesterday whose good cheer made my day. Just as we were allowed to go to medical appointments after the pandemic, a group of us who were all in the same boat were friends by the end of our wait. What a blessing.

Sometimes, loneliness and isolation overwhelm me, to be honest. I am sure you have been there. Everything seems bleak and grey. We feel disconnected and wilted.

How can we bloom where we are planted? Honestly, only by God’s grace and strength are we able to accomplish this. While “Bloom where you are planted” is not in the Bible, its sentiment is in Scripture. (I especially like verse 24.)

1 Corinthians 7:20-24

^“20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

²¹ Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

²² For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.

²³ Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

²⁴ Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.”

I was thinking about the past few years since I became more isolated. I think a few things have helped me thrive in isolation.

1. Abide with God as it says above.
2. Be content.
3. Choose gratitude and joy.
4. Look around to see whose day you can make better.
5. Trust God.

What have you found helps you to “Bloom where you are planted?”