Transplanted

 I love a good analogy...especially when it relates to gardening or food.

One of the hardest things for me to leave behind when we moved from Southern California to Western Wyoming was my beloved garden. It was my place of joy and peace. My husband built all of my gardening beds and potting tables as well as the most beautiful butterfly house. 

I miss it all.

All of my plants and veggies too.

The one thing that makes it easier is knowing that my monarch and giant swallowtail butterflies and many of my plants couldn't really thrive here. So instead of bringing them, I gave them away so they could be in the environment they were accustomed to.  This was not easy! 

Shortly after we moved here, I attended a Mother's Day Luncheon at our new church.  The theme for the event was "Bloom Where You're Planted."  One of the speakers gave a message about being TRANSPLANTED in order to bloom even better. Of course this gardening idea hit home for me. I was instantly encouraged about our move. 

Whenever a plant...indoor or outdoor, is not thriving, it's telling me it doesn't like its current conditions. The best gardening tip I've learned thus far in my journey is from Monty Don, my favorite gardener. He reminds often to never plant something or force something that does not want to be there. Of course our plants tell us this when they fail to thrive. They also tell us they love their current condition when they are verdant and lush. 

I believe the same is true for us.

When we are thriving our lives are rich. We produce good fruit in our lives...faithfulness, joy, peace, patience, kindness, service to others, love, self-control, goodness, and gentleness. 

When we are in need of being transplanted, our lives sort of become stagnant. The growth stops. 

We need to be transplanted in order to bloom better.  This is exactly what I needed, but I didn't really see it until I was removed from my life in Southern California. I have bloomed here in Wyoming. 

It's easy to get comfortable in our familiar surroundings. We don't have to learn anything new. Often, we have stopped challenging ourselves and just coast along in our cushy lane. This was me. Maybe it's you. If it is, don't be afraid to change lanes and bloom.

When we transplant ourselves, the sun shines on parts of us that cause us to grow and bloom and reach our most beautiful potential. 

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." ~ John 15:5