I’m linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker and the wonderful bloggers who meet each week on Thursday nights (late) and write for five minutes on a prompt that Lisa-Jo gives us. No editing. No turning back. Just write and publish. This week’s prompt? Bloom
Two different conversations, with two different friends.
But first, let me tell you why these conversations happened. We move a lot. Not every few months or anything, but my husband’s administrative job means that turnover is expected. For years we’ve not sought openings but have moved when called. We have felt, strongly, that our moves have been orchestrated by the God in control of our lives.
Our last move prompted these two conversations:
Conversation 1 – – “I get your faith and all, but don’t be a jellyfish, just floating wherever you’re sent. Control your own destiny. If you want to live where you’re living, then do so, but if you’d rather live in such and such a town, then make it happen. I just don’t buy that God, or whatever being is up there, gets to arbitrarily send us somewhere.”
Yes, I’m loosely paraphrasing a much longer conversation. A conversation that surprised me and left me feeling a little, well, lonely and sad.
Conversation 2 – – “I’m really sorry you guys are leaving _______. You will be sorely missed. You’re good with kids and you’re good at what you do. I know you’re going a long ways away, but I know that you’re the type that will bloom wherever God plants you.”
Yes, another loose paraphrase, except for that last part. “You will bloom wherever God plants you.” That phrase has stuck in my head for two years. What a compliment. What an encouragement. What a mission.
Because that IS what I believe. I DO believe there is a God up there with a much clearer picture of our life – what it COULD be, and what it SHOULD be. I’m very happy to feel led by a God who cares much more about my children than I do, who understands our jobs and the people we work for much more than we do, and yes, One who controls my destiny.
My job? To bloom wherever God plants me.
