BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED

Dr. Myles Munroe once shared a memory of having lunch with the famous Corrie Ten Boom, known for saving Jewish soldiers. During their conversation, he inquired about the advice she would offer to a young man, to which she responded by emphasizing the importance of growing where you are planted.

It is generally accepted that one needs the right environment to flourish. And I have always held that belief and sometimes used it as a buffer. However, I had a reawakening after an encounter I had with nature. It's incredible how even nature reminds us of what we know but tend to forget or overlook because we are busy or overwhelmed by what is happening around us.

I remember walking through the Rhododendron Garden at Blackheath, taking in nature's beauty and appreciating God's creation and gift, when I moved to a different section of the garden full of dead trees. It's worth mentioning that that area had been affected by drought, hence the dead trees. I was still trying to grapple with how the lower section of the garden was filled with blooming flowers, while dead trees characterized the upper section. I thought I had left the garden, but I came across Telopea speciosissima as I walked further. There was no way you could have missed it, as it was standing tall and shining bright in its red color. I spoke out loud and was like, "What are you doing here? To be surrounded by dead trees and shrubs, and there you are standing tall and shining bright, with not an iota of deadness to indicate the state of its environment."

I laughed at myself when I realized I was talking to a flower. But I realized that I was projecting onto the plant. This is because there was a time when I always felt I wasn't good enough for a position or something, and I tried to hide or shy away from responsibilities or positions that would put me in the limelight.

What is so unique is that this plant blooms with heavy rainfall. But here we are, affected by drought but still standing tall even though some of the trees and grasses around me were dead due to the lack of rain in the area, and somewhere stood this beautiful flower standing in its glory, defying the harsh environment and blooming.

During that period, I was contemplating an offer from a group that utilizes storytelling to empower women, to address a gathering of women in one of their initiatives. I hesitated to accept the invitation due to my belief that I lacked an engaging story to share. Yet, following my encounter with God in nature, I promptly changed my response from declining to accepting the invitation.

Lesson learned:

-        As much as we rely on our environment to blossom, sometimes it doesn't matter where you find yourself, you can still blossom amid adversity. Yes, we can challenge the status quo and make a difference and maybe we could be the catalyst to bring to life the deadness in our environment. As the saying goes, gold is purified after going through the fire, In the same vein we may not truly know the extent of our strength until we are put through situations that bring out the best in us.

-        Don't be afraid to be different. It is our differences that may attract people to us. Stand out from the crowd. You were created uniquely for a purpose; just be true to yourself, there can never be two of you, you have something that no one else has, and that is what sets you apart from the others.

-        Shine your light wherever you are: Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. We all know that no matter how dark a place is when an iota of light comes on, it dispels the darkness, as children of God who have been called out of darkness, we need to ensure that we don’t dim the brightness that we are as a result of our relationship with Christ.

To finish my earlier story, It is interesting that when I agreed to tell my story, on the day I went upstage to speak all my fear was stripped away as I started to speak, it went so well that people were enjoying themselves, I didn’t know I was funny, but it was a pleasure to hear people laugh at certain aspect they deemed funny. At the end, I walked away feeling a sense of accomplishment and knowing that my story, may have helped some women in the audience.

On a final note, I advocate removing oneself from toxic environments, especially where your mental, emotional, and physical safety is threatened.

In all things let wisdom guide our decisions.

Lots of love,

Victoria