roots | grow where you are planted.
i’ve been thinking a lot lately about roots.
my roots, where i come from, where i’m planting roots.
what is feeding my roots.
i’ve far too often heard the saying “grow where you are planted”.
and i find myself shaking my head “yes, yes, absolutely yes, we should be growing where we are planted!” – but in that head shaking and immediate agreeing…i don’t really evaluate my heart.
do i really want to grow where i’m planted?
more importantly should i grow where i’m planted?
and lastly…where have i planted myself?
i think that last question holds the most weight.
you should not grow where you are planted if your roots are digging into poison.
you should not grow where you are planted if youve set yourself in life-threatening conditions.
and to make this more relatable, you should not grow where you are planted if you’ve set yourself up to repeat a past mistake.
maybe i’m taking this a little too deep…maybe i’m not.
through this life evaluation i’m seeing that if i want true growth to happen.
true beautiful growth to happen
i need to change where i’m planted.
i need to set some new goals, reshape some friendships, invest in others, step out of my comfort zone, dig a little deeper, allow the pain to be shared and the wounds to be healed.
if i really want to grow where i’m planted then i need to be conscious of my choices.
choices matter.
i also need to remind myself that new growth means challenging days are ahead.
working in the fields, sunburn, sore/calloused/tired hands, an aching back, and cracked lips.
new growth comes from a harsh winter, a pruning spring, and a vibrant (and toiling) summer.
but it’s worth it.
it is always worth it.
i could have written this post 5 years ago. it's not an easy realization to come to, and there is a hard path ahead, but it is so worth it. you are right! praying for you as you face the days ahead, whatever they may bring! (maybe they will bring you to Greenville lol)
These words!!! I love the picture you painted with that last paragraph…Soul work IS hard. Thankfully, it IS always worth it! 🙂
Great post!
This post is beautifully written. It takes strength to realize the issues you have addressed!Thanks for such meaningful words!
This is such a beautiful post, thanks for sharing!
I really like what you're saying. Go for it and kind of re-invent your life. I love it. I'm in the process of sorting through friendships as well : It's not easy because I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings but I know that in the long run it's best for them and for me.
Ooh, that last question got me. It's interesting because I've always liked that quote "bloom where you are planted" because I see it as a way to make the most of what you've got. But I love how you've spun it to make it focus on where you're at and where you've planted yourself. I actually really love that interpretation, too! You've got me thinking girl–but as always, in a good way. 🙂
Amen. I think this is another reason that I get restless when I've been in one place for a long period of time. Not that I don't see myself settling somewhere at some point in my life, I'll always travel, but I feel like I haven't found the place where I'm truly supposed to grow. Sure, the Lord has put me in places where I have sprouted and grown, but nothing root deep yet. The closest was the town I lived in during college. The people he surrounded me with and the places he took me extended my roots, but I feel like they have been constantly uprooted. I hope I find the place the Lord wants to plant me so my roots can finally grow and extend like they are meant to. Lots of things to think about after reading this post!