Blossom

I love this quote, and when I spent time Friday looking out from the water tower at Prince Galitzen, it was one that was very obvious to me.  I have reached a point in life where I am no longer a child. I am making my own decisions, shaping my own experiences. Sometimes, those closest to me may not agree. They strongly suggest that, for financial reasons, safety- whatever it is, that I stay put and make choices that are not align with what my heart is telling me. It want me to stay 'tight in a bud' when my heart is telling me it is time to blossom.  Going against their desires and wishes is painful- it is not easy. I love them and respect them, yet I have come to realize that I must take the leap and the risk to blossom. One of my first steps toward blossoming was making the decision and then traveling to the Dominican Republic. And the experience proved to me that I am doing the correct thing.
In the gospel reading today there was something that really hit home in this. From John 12:24-26

Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat;
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me,
and where I am, there also will my servant be.
The Father will honor whoever serves me.


What use am I to the Father, to this world, if I remain just a grain of wheat, just a tight bud? By taking the chances, making the decisions to follow my own heart, I am taking the opportunity to make the difference I was placed on this earth to make.


As I was reminded by today's sermon, we mustn't fail to trust in the Lord and to allow him to provide for us. We must put our hopes, our dreams, our hearts, and our faith- in Him. In doing so, we will honor and serve him. And we find joy in becoming the beautiful blossom we were designed to be.