Blooming Where You're Planted

Gaetano Bellei (Italian painter) 1857 - 1922
Recently I found this lovely blog post and I so much wanted to share it with you. It was written by Mary Lowman from Christian working woman's blog 

It tells the story of an elderly lady called Betty who goes out every day to buy a few items from her local grocery store. However, her mission is not just to  buy food, but to minister to all those she meets — Betty uses her daily trips to the grocery as a way to meet people, to offer encouragement, to pray for people, and to let them know that Jesus loves them.  Almost every day she has an opportunity to speak to someone—mostly strangers—and simply offer a moment of caring and concern

We too should use every opportunity we have to reach out a change a persons day, just as Betty does. This is one of the reasons why God does not ask us to seperate ourselves physically from the world, because if we shut ourselves in our homes, how to we minister? We need to be out and about so we can make a differences to all that we meet — whether that be in the store, the library or at work or play ground. If we or our children never leave the house we can not reach out and help others. 

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Recently I had an opportunity to talk to a senior citizen, Betty, in her 80’s, who is an inspiration to me.  Betty is a widow and a mom of three grown children and lots of grandchildren.  She is a Jesus-lover from way back, and at this stage in her life, she is finding creative ways to reach out to others with the love of Jesus.

Betty’s husband died after a very long illness where she was his main caregiver.  This was a daily “dying to self”, as she dedicated all her time and energy to helping him after a massive stroke.  It took its toll on her physically, as she had to lift him and help him maneuver.  “But,” she told me, “because of that my upper body became very strong.”  Then, when she had to have open heart surgery after her husband’s death, her doctor said it was a miracle she was still alive.  “It was because I had such strong upper body that I was able to survive that surgery,” she said. “So, you see, it was good that I had helped my husband all that time.”

Now that she lives alone and is still driving, she has found a way to continue to share the love of Jesus with others.  She goes to the grocery store every day.  She said, “That way I don’t have heavy bags to carry if I just get a few things each day.  And then, I just go up and down the aisles of the store, to see who God puts in my path that day.” 

Betty uses her daily trips to the grocery as a way to meet people, to offer encouragement, to pray for people, and to let them know that Jesus loves them.  Almost every day she has an opportunity to speak to someone—mostly strangers—and simply offer a moment of caring and concern.  She has story after story of the people she has met in this way, and how blessed she is to have this ministry.

Just knowing Betty is to see an example of what it means to “Rejoice always,” as Paul exhorts us.  As we sat together after the funeral of her beloved daughter-in-law—and my niece—and as we recalled how much we loved her and would miss her, Betty found the bright side of the occasion and her attitude of blooming where she is planted challenged and inspired me.

It’s not so much the big things we do for Jesus that makes a difference; it’s the way we reach out in our everyday lives—on our jobs, in our families, and yes, as we walk the aisles of the grocery store.


Comments

  1. Wouldn't it be great to meet her! I always try to smile at people, especially elderly ones who are shopping alone, or make a cheery comment - hoping it brightens their day 😊

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    1. I would love to meet her too. My mother tried to share the gospel at the nursing home and got into all sorts of trouble and made some enemies . I think one needs to sometimes show the beauty of Christ through our actions - kindness and encouragement and no when to not preach as people turn off their hearing when they hearing preaching.

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  2. Oh, that is a beautiful story!♥ I printed it out so I can keep it to read again. This is an area in which I could improve. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Betty is such an encouragement to all of us and I think I will think of her often when I am out and about.

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  3. I loved reading this! How encouraging it was... Makes me think about how busy we all tend to be- we never would have time to spend a few extra minutes in the grocery store intentionally seeking out those who need a cheerful word. Good reminder to slow down and to live intentionally- not just caught up in the whirlwind. Thanks so much for sharing.

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    1. And our ministry may be as simple as smiling and lending a hand or having a little chat whilst waiting to be served - it isn't about conducting a sermon in the shopping centre.

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  4. It is always a blessing to meet all those ministry opportunities the Lord brings into our lives with a willing heart. Let us not be so busy that we don't see them. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. So glad you enjoyed it. :) Have a wonderful day.

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  5. What gentle encouragement and shining love! Thank you, for sharing!

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