JUST BLOOM

The three things that stand out most in my memory of Grandma's yard are the walnut tree that dropped thousands of pods, the nectar-berry bushes that were 12 feet high, and a huge hydrangea bush that bloomed in every color of blue and purple. Granted, my memory may have exaggerated these a little but that's what memory is supposed to do with Grandmas' houses.

In hopes of having a hydrangea bush like my Grandma's, I planted one in my front yard about 4 years ago. This week, as I went out to do my spring weeding, I could no longer avoid the brutal truth. Mine is not blooming in every color of blue and purple. In fact, I cannot even tell you what color it does bloom in, because now, after 4 years, my poor plant remains about 2 inches tall.

Defective plant? Possible - but improbable - more likely, a defective gardener. It seemed like a good spot to plant it at the time, but evidently, the soil, sunlight, or moisture level of that spot was not conducive to bringing out the potential of that bush.

One of the most appalling Gallup Polls I have ever read was taken of the general American workforce who were asked if they utilized their greatest strengths within their occupation. Shockingly, 80% replied “no”! One commentary pointed out that this equates to America operating at only 20% of our potential.

In other words, 80% of us are planted in the wrong spot just like my poor 2 inch hydrangea! I can't help but think about how this dynamic plays out in the corporate arena (lower creativity, ingenuity, dedication, efficiency, attendance, productivity, contentment, turnover, etc.) and subsequently, the home-front (greater depression, burnout, frustration, drinking, relationship problems, etc.).

What are your greatest strengths? I have to believe that if God is the best “steward” (Jesus did teach that as a Godly principle) that somewhere, somehow, He makes room for us to use the strengths He gave us. It would just be cruel (and I don't think He is) to give us the heart and talent for something, and then thwart us from ever bringing it to fruition.

Please don't get mired down by the belief that your strength must become your occupation or a formal “ministry”. If so, great! That is certainly the best case scenario. But if not, still find your strength and find a way to use it. The world needs all of us doing what we all do best.

What purpose would there be for me to leave that hydrangea in the same corner? To teach it humility? To test it to see if it can be content never blooming? I am not saying God does not value humility or contentment, but to create us as “flowers” and never want us to “bloom” does not sound like the heart of God.

Well, my hydrangea is now in a new spot and is already showing some signs of renewed life. Who knows, maybe it will grow to one day be the the subject of my grandchildren's nostalgic memories.