growth

grow where u r plant
rooted in the mud and dung
nurished by the storms
blossoming in the sunshine
produce fruit for the harvest
plant healthy seeds around you
and then do it all again.


   I knew a family who decided to move as soon as they finished fixing up their house.  Their children said good bye to friends at the end of the school year, because they planned to be gone by fall.  Fall came, and the children had to explain to their friends that their father didn't finish the house, nor had their mother completed the garden.  When asked to become involved with the local school and church, they decided it would not be wise, because they would be moving that spring.  Spring came and went, and their children again bid their peers farewell.  They would be gone by fall.  This went on for years. It got to the point where the family was not involved in anything.  The children lost contact with close friends.  Their farewell became something their peer either laughed at or shook their heads sadly, rolling their eyes at the drama queens.

  Eventually they did move, but i think of those years lost, looking at the greener grass on the other side.  I'm not against moving when it is time to move, but until then, I hope that I will continue to grow where I am planted and take the "fertilizer" and use it to become a better person here and now.  Sometimes we wait around for "god's will" so long that we miss the little things we should be doing all along.

   So I work with what I have, where I am, and with the tools god has provided.  My goal is to do better today than I did yesterday, and to plan to do even better tomorrow.  I have plans, but I hope to be open to the opportunities that come unexpectedly.  I refuse to waste the life I have been given. 

   This is why I enjoy the fresh beginning to a new year.  I'm also kicked into gear when summer comes around, and, of course, the beginning of the school year.  I take those times to learn from what is behind me and evaluate the goals set before me.  Now it's time to just do something.  If it's the wrong thing, the door will shut, but I'm nor going to "wait to move."

I will bloom where I am planted.

-jay-

ps.  it's grade time... our high school system is so screwed up that i have no idea when (or even IF) my guys will graduate from high school.  I would love for them to have that feeling of accomplishment they could get from having good results in their grades.  What ever comes, we need to make some firm plans in the near future.  We would love your prayers.