Blooming

In May I was picking out what would be my new journal. As I sat at Target taking in my options I heard, “It’s your season to bloom.” So, I eagerly picked out a floral print journal and with great expectation started my new journal. Surely, this season would be filled with awe and beauty. All the things inside of me would explode with delight and color. They would fulfill their purpose…I would fulfill my purpose. 

Last week I finished that journal.  

My wild expectations haven’t been met yet, but I also don’t feel like the blooming season is over. Yesterday, while repotting my house plants, I started reflecting on what I have learned so far. 

Lesson One: It all starts with a seed. 

Inside the apple seed is everything there needs to be a tree. However, it is not seen yet. Our prophetic words, our healings, our promises in scripture are all given to us in seed form.  It is our job to nourish them, partner with them, and give them good soil to grow in. Then we will see the evidence of the tree. 

Lesson Two: Roots form first.

Before we ever see something above ground the roots are growing. I believe that in our lives we need sunlight, but we also need hidden times. 

It is in the hidden times that we develop both resilience and perseverance. I believe the key to both is community. When we are hidden, and especially when we are going through a valley, we need community to validate and walk with us. It is part of how we return to joy after taking a risk.  Similarly, perseverance is best done in community. Community celebrates us and cheers us on when everything is in question, when we don’t know where to turn next.  

I am reminded of the root system in the Redwood Forest. These huge trees are pelted by all sorts of horrific winds. Yet, they stand strong because of their root system. While shallow, their roots stretch out up to a hundred feet. Most significantly, each tree’s roots intertwines with the trees around it. The Redwoods persevere by relaying on each other.

Lesson Three: Each plant is different. 

Each plant has a different time of year it should be planted, a different length of time it stays underground, and each plant serves a different purpose.

This one is a tough one for me. I have many dreams that I have yet to see unfold. There are going to be people who reach their dreams before me, and some after me. It doesn’t make one person more or less successful, gifted, or beautiful.  Somethings just take more time to unfold. We would never expect to harvest an apple the same time as we would a tulip.  Nor should we expect to see our life to look like anyone else’s. 

 Lesson Four: He is making us beautiful.

I love efficiency. Making something run like a well-oiled machine drives me.  I love what can be accomplished with a good plan executed well. However, God desires to make us beautiful not just efficient. Which means our process might take time, and it might even look like it is going backwards. When a rose bush is pruned and cared for it increases in beauty each year. We also develop beauty as we allow God to take us through the blooming journey. 

Lesson Five: Plants Multiply.

A couple years ago my mom gave me clippings from a plant that she had gotten from my grandma. Those clippings sat in my solo cup of water for weeks as I watched the roots grow. Eventually, the time came to plant those clippings.  Someday, I will be able to take clippings and pass them on to my friends or children. 

When we go through our blooming process, we are able to bring others to the place that we are. Our ceiling becomes the floor for those around us. Other’s begin to believe for breakthrough because they have seen God do it in your life. People are empowered by the wisdom we have gained, and the path we have walked. 

I feel buried and unseen in the dark “seed” times. However, it because well worth it when I can look around to see the multiplication to those around me. 

Conclusion: If we are not changing, are we really growing? 

This particular blooming season feels very intense for me. Probably because I feel like I am going through the process in so many different areas of my life. However, if I zoom out, I can recognize that in our lives we are constantly going through growing seasons. Some are small and quick; others are deep and prolonged. 

If we are not changing, then we have stopped growing and have become stagnate. I would argue that a stagnate life is living below what Christ has paid for on the cross.  Christ paid for abundant life (John 10:10). This means we can live in increasing freedom, increasing joy, increasing purpose, and increasing beauty.