Before the current return with these much cooler temperatures we are experiencing–still calling our furnace to run, warming our home–enjoying sunny warm days prior to this week allowed for some outside yard work. Taking a few afternoons to work in short segments, I was able to rake debris, pull weeds, and locate perennial growth to ensure plants survived winter’s cold. In one area, after removing debris and weeds, I found a couple perennials that looked out of place and moved them for a more balanced “look”. I moved one plant from the west side of the house to the back, which gets morning sun.  I found hostas were crowding a columbine so that flowering plant was moved to an area next to the deck. As much as I would prefer more sun and higher temps, I’m watching these new transplants establish quickly to their new spots, perking up under recent gentle rains that fed their root systems. I’m still very much a novice gardner; I rely on learning from others who possess more knowledge than me or I search for advice via the internet. I learned years ago that moving a plant is beneficial. Though it will look tired and under stress, the presence of those actually causes the plant to fight for survival, driving its roots to action in order to survive. I can’t help but think I’ve experienced the same transition. I, too, was transplanted.

Our family moved from Saginaw to Fowlerville in 1989. A job opportunity came along for my husband that was much needed for us. We always thought we’d live our entire lives in Saginaw, raise our two children there, and retire. But God had other plans. Prior to our move, I was not familiar with Livingston County at all. I’d heard of Brighton. One of my aunts lived in Fenton for many years. When I told a childhood neighbor about our move he let me know he purchased a farm tractor in Fowlerville. These were the extent of what I knew about the county where we’ve now lived for 37 years.

Looking back over those thirty plus years I can definitely see God’s hand on my life when He picked me up and moved me 70 miles south of everything I had come to know. It was hard leaving behind our children’s two sets of grandparents and my husband’s elderly grandmother. We left a church family. I surrendered a 20 year banking career in order to begin my journey as a stay-at-home mom of our two young children. My husband was settled in his new job. We took occupancy of our home in January and by the end of February all our boxes were unpacked with everything put in place. On a cold wintry afternoon I found myself sitting alone in our living room, waiting for the school bus while our toddler son napped, suddenly wondering “what now?” Besides my husband’s employer, I knew absolutely no one. We’d been to a church in town for a few weeks with no connections made, other than a visit from the pastor to welcome us. For the first time in my life I felt truly alone and isolated. Like one of my transplants, I had a choice to make. Give up and into the dangers of isolation or take action. I chose the latter.

Within a few weeks following my afternoon alone in the living room I found a notice in the local paper about a Christian Women’s Club. Seeing that “free” childcare was an option–and much needed for a person like me with no friends to help–I jumped at the opportunity to swap comfy “mom” clothes to get “dressed” to be around other like minded women. This group became a lifeline for me and I formed several wonderful friendships that lasted a long time until the club disbanded.

At our church in town, the organist took a liking to me and invited me to a bible study that was composed of women from all ages and church backgrounds. We met every Wednesday to learn directly from scripture–no added curriculum–and prayed for one another’s requests. The wisdom and love I found in this group of women was nothing I had experienced in my Christian life. It was here that one of the older women told me her daughter lived around the corner from us who had a daughter the same age as ours, a possible playmate. Out of desperation I called to introduce myself and ask if a playdate could be arranged. The rest is a history of rich friendship between our families and although they’ve since relocated to South Carolina, we remain “tightly” knit together, sharing in life’s joys and sorrows.

After almost two years at the church in town we relocated to our current one, a decision that was difficult to make but necessary for the benefit of our spiritual growth. We quickly became more involved in ministry. We gained additional adult friends as well as our children’s ability to be around more kids their ages. As we became more established, I had the privilege to teach bible studies to women, be part of the worship team, attend retreats and send our kids to camp in the summer. All these activities took me away from the previous fear of being alone and isolated, to a thriving environment that nurtured not only me, but that of my family. Being a “newcomer” for a while in our new home also made me sensitive and aware when new families moved to our area, causing me to be intentional in saying “hello”  to “new faces” and several times I hosted small lunch dates in our home, inviting a new woman to meet some of my friends. I did this to help her begin her own process of being able to send her transplanted emotions and needs deeper and wider in order to thrive once again.

The Bible doesn’t have specific scriptures that define the common phrase “bloom where you’re planted” but there are those that reflect the image portrayed in “blooming”. Psalm 1: 3 says “They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do”.  Who is the ‘they’? It’s those of us believers in God who don’t follow the advice of sinners, or stand around with them, or join in with mockers (verse 1).

What are the benefits of avoiding these kinds of people? We won’t wither. We will prosper. We will bear fruit in every season (verse 3).

So, was my sitting alone that cold wintry day a challenge? Definitely. Moreso, it became the very catalyst I needed in order to pursue an abundant life I could have missed out had I not found ways to step out of loneliness and discover the riches my newly found small town living quickly awarded me. As I said, that was 37 years ago and every year I maintain that “more of the best is yet to come!”