Bloom Where You're Planted

Photo (C) Sally Hipwell
May be copied for personal/church use.

I took the picture in this post while I was visiting Minnesota. I was walking through a park and as I went over a bridge I noticed a tiny plant beginning to grow between the boards of the walkway. It was small and vulnerable, yet sure and strong. It was blooming where it was planted, even though it wasn't necessarily the best place for a a seedling to take root.

I love the quote by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin in his talk during the October 2008 General Conference.

 

"Come What May and Love it."

Notice, he didn't just say come what may and endure it, or come what may and somehow survive. He said come what may and love it. The phrase bloom where you're planted takes on a whole new meaning for me after pondering this quote.  The plant wasn't just surviving in between the two boards or barely hanging on. It was thriving, growing, and developing even when it wasn't in ideal circumstances.

Now, I don't know about you, but I don't love adversity. Sometimes, I even cringe at the sound of the word. I find these words from Elder Worthlin very encouraging.

"I do believe that the way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life. If we approach adversities wisely, our hardest times can be times of greatest growth, which in turn can lead toward times

of greatest happiness. . . .

 

"Adversity, if handled correctly, can be a blessing in our lives.

We can learn to love it."

I hope that with the help of our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, we can find the strength to not just endure, but to love whatever comes our way. God has a plan for us. He is mindful of us and He will bless us.

Sincerely,
Sal

Discouragement

Discouragement. That is a big, ugly word with a capital “D.”  All of us from time to time have felt it. That dark, deep-down feeling that we are nothing, have no worth, and will never amount to anything. It’s that feeling of despair and hopelessness that nothing will ever work out.

If I were talking face to face with you right now, I would look you directly in the eye, grab your shoulders and shake you (Okay, so I might be more gentle than that, but you get the idea J), and firmly tell you that those feelings are not true. But, don’t just take it from me. Here’s what President Uchtdorf says:

Another way Satan deceives is through discouragement. He attempts to focus our sight on our own insignificance until we begin to doubt that we have much worth. He tells us that we are too small for anyone to take notice, that we are forgotten—especially by God.

Have you ever felt that way before? I certainly have. Sometimes it seems that we are of no value because we’re not famous, not rich, don’t feel like we’ve done anything worthwhile, and this list goes on. Especially for those who are women, sometimes it seems like the day-to-day tasks that we accomplish are so minute and that they will never make a difference. But, once again, these discouraging thoughts are wrong. President Uchtdorf continues:

The Lord doesn’t care at all if we spend our days working in marble halls or stable stalls. He knows where we are, no matter how humble our circumstances. He will use—in His own way and for His holy purposes—those who incline their hearts to Him.

God knows that some of the greatest souls who have ever lived are those who will never appear in the chronicles of history. They are the blessed, humble souls who emulate the Savior’s example and spend the days of their lives doing good.

May I emphasize this statement one more time: “God knows that some of the greatest souls who have ever lived are those who will never appear in the chronicles of history. They are the blessed, humble souls who emulate the Savior’s example and spend the days of their lives doing good.”

lds.org

Wow! How cool is that? God knows us, loves us, and sees the good that we do, even though the world tries to tell us that what we accomplish isn’t worthwhile. Our loving Father in Heaven wants us to trust in Him and realize our true worth as His sons and daughters. I hope that we will all take the time to remember who we really are and cast awful feelings of discouragement out the minute they come into our hearts. Remember: those despairing feelings are not true. Through the infinite power of our Father in Heaven and Christ’s atoning sacrifice, there is always hope.

-Sal

Laborers in the Vineyard

Elder Holland's General Conference talk "Laborers in the Vineyard" really struck me, particularly when he said:

Then this piercing question to anyone then or now who needs to hear it: “Why should you be jealous because I choose to be kind?”

Brothers and sisters, there are going to be times in our lives when someone else gets an unexpected blessing or receives some special recognition. May I plead with us not to be hurt—and certainly not to feel envious—when good fortune comes to another person? We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed. The race we are really in is the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those.

Furthermore, envy is a mistake that just keeps on giving. Obviously we suffer a little when some misfortune befalls us, but envy requires us to suffer all good fortune that befalls everyone we know! What a bright prospect that is—downing another quart of pickle juice every time anyone around you has a happy moment! To say nothing of the chagrin in the end, when we find that God really is both just and merciful, giving to all who stand with Him “all that he hath,”² as the scripture says. So lesson number one from the Lord’s vineyard: coveting, pouting, or tearing others down does not elevate your standing, nor does demeaning someone else improve your self-image. So be kind, and be grateful that God is kind. It is a happy way to live.

When I heard that, I immediately thought of Etsy. I ashamedly admit I have had some envious feelings. Elder Holland opened my eyes to see that I am not diminished when someone else is added upon and that I should not be jealous because Heavenly Father chooses to be kind. Instead, I should rejoice when someone experiences success and be grateful when Heavenly Father blesses me in other areas.

Another thought that came to mind is bitterness I have been harboring for years toward another person's success. The person received a scholarship I greatly desired, and instead of being grateful for the still extremely generous scholarship I did win, I cried because I didn't beat her, or at least get the same prize. The past fews years I've realized how blessed my husband and I are not to have student debts, and this talk made me realize even more how ungrateful I've been all these years for the financial blessings and college education I did receive.

I hope that if any of you have bitter feelings as I did that you will let them go through the Atonement of Christ and replace them with joy for your brothers' and sisters' blessings from a generous and loving Heavenly Father.

Captain's Message: Despite Adversity, Be of Good Cheer

Source: PlumStreetPrints on Etsy

The Church website features a small page titled "Despite Adversity, Be of Good Cheer," featuring quotes by the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Here is a selection from Elder Robert D. Hales:

“In the school of mortality, the tutor is often pain and tribulation, but the lessons are meant to refine and bless us and strengthen us, not to destroy us,” Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles says. “There is nothing that we are enduring that Jesus does not understand, and He waits for us to go to our Heavenly Father in prayer. I testify that if we will be obedient and if we are diligent, our prayers will be answered, our problems will diminish, our fears will dissipate, light will come upon us, the darkness of despair will be dispersed, and we will be close to the Lord and feel of His love and of the comfort of the Holy Ghost."

I hope that when you read this short message you will feel the Spirit confirm the truth. It is so vital to know that Jesus understands everything we experience, and that our Heavenly Father is waiting for us to communicate with Him through prayer. They love us unconditionally and want our growth and happiness.

Please read the Church website page, "Despite Adversity, Be of Good Cheer." Be uplifted and have a wonderful week!

- Rachelle