written by my friend Linda
“Bloom where you are
planted.” I can't tell you how many times I've said that to myself during the
last few years. Waking up in a strange place, with everything but my heart
unfamiliar to me, has blessed me with some of the worst (and some of the best)
experiences of my life. And yes, I do mean blessed.
I never, ever imagined I would say that comas and respirators,
and strokes, and infections, and hyperbaric oxygen treatments and paralyzed
vocal cords, and dialysis, and feeding tubes, and catheters, and absolutely no
balance, and shaking like a leaf in a hurricane, and all the rest have been
blessings. I know, I know… it surprises me, too! But, that's how I feel.
Through these “bad” times, I have begun to realize what is really important in
this life...and it's not the things that happen to me, but the things I can do
for others that make everything bearable.
I had a very wise visitor today…my son-in-law, Mike, who
reminded me that my divine purpose, and my avenue to happiness, joy and peace,
is to become more like my Savior by learning and growing from my hand-picked
challenges, and to serve others in any way that I can…. no matter what my
circumstances are, and no matter where I find myself. I can compliment her
stylish new haircut. I can listen to and appreciate long ago stories. I can
tease those who get a kick out of laughing. I can sincerely let my aides know
how much I love them and appreciate the million and one things they do to help
me. I can share my knowledge of my Father in Heaven, who loves His children
always, and I can “Bloom where I am planted”!!”
After Relief Society today in my new branch, I watched as a
sweet sister struggled to stand from her chair to her walker. She tried
mightily and after several attempts, her arm muscles quivering with exhaustion,
she found the strength, somewhere deep inside herself to finally rise to her
feet. With tears streaming down my face, I realized what a blessing it was for
me to understand the strength and courage it took for her to go through that
same process over and over again, day after day, month after month, year after
year. Before I had my own physical challenges I would have never understood her
magnificent spirit and her tremendous will.
We all have challenges that take strength and courage to
face.....and we all need someone to offer encouragement in whatever way is
possible...a smile, kind words, empathy. I have been blessed to know what
facing physical challenges feels like, and that blessing has made it possible
for me to look at people in a whole new way.
Rather than being sympathetic, I have learned what it means to
be empathetic. I know how folks feel when they go through physical, emotional,
and mental challenges that leave them with an altered perspective on life, a
rearrangement of how they deal with life, and a new respect and admiration for
the courage it takes to get up another day. Believe me, as Bette Davis once
said: "Getting old is not for sissies!"
We all, no matter what kind of challenge we face, need someone
to be a friend, to give encouragement, to love us unconditionally, and to cheer
us on. That is where I think my understanding of “Bloom where you are planted”
come in. I know that where I am today is no accident. God is using the
situation I am in right now to shape me and to prepare me for the place He
wants to bring me into tomorrow. He has done this before. I am certain He will
do it again! I will trust Him with His plan for me, and I will do my best to
make something good out of each new adventure. I want to do what I can with what
I have, wherever I am.
I like what Hugh B.
Brown has said on this subject: “God is the gardener here and He knows what he
wants you to be.” Grow according to His plan and “Bloom where you are planted!” ❤️❤️
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