BLOOM WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; and be content with what you have: for He has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” Proverbs 14:30

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out.” 1 Timothy 6:6-7

I love dressing room conversations. I love how each day that you enter the ballet studio, you never know who you are going to end up talking to in those dressing room encounters. For ballet dancers, conversations in the dressing room are where friendships are built, hearts are open, and where we get to hear a small piece of another’s beautiful story. I think often God puts people in our path to encourage us, to come alongside us, or to teach us something new.

Just this week, I got to chatting with a fellow dancer and friend in the midst of us getting to and from rehearsals. We talked about how grateful we are to be dancing professionally – whatever that may look like. Just a few years ago, we both came to the studio, excited for the beginning of a new season, ready to work hard, ready to dance. Company class had a new energy and excitement that day as a new season got underway. After class, we were told to gather around and to sit down. Our directors had bad news for us. The short of it was that our full season was cancelled due to financial problems and that we would perform The Nutcracker, but that was all. They told us to go home until rehearsals for Nutcracker began….several months later. We all sat in shock for awhile. I fought back tears. Somehow, I felt a flood of God’s peace wash over me at the same time, and I knew His hand was in it. So I thought I was going to be fine. I thought maybe this was God’s way of telling me it was time to retire from dancing for good. I went home, so thankful to be kept busy with my two boys. But ever so often in those months, I would just grieve over the loss of our ballet company. It would hit me at the oddest moments. I missed it and I never knew if I would perform again after this Nutcracker. My heart was sad, although I did not want to admit it. I just tried to stuff it inside.

God’s timing is sweet and He blessed my husband and I with a special surprise. As I began rehearsals eventually for The Nutcracker, I remember thinking, “Shouldn’t I be feeling more in shape and stronger with each rehearsal? Because I am feeling more and more fatigued and I’m slowly gaining weight with each passing week….what is going on?”  You guessed it, I was pregnant with our third son! Did not see this coming! I literally found out the week before our performances. I had no understudy that knew my role, so I had to perform. With God’s grace, and my husband’s help, I got through about ten performances of The Nutcracker. On stage, I felt great because I was lost in the thrill of performing. Backstage, I was hiding Subway sandwiches and pizzas and ginger ale in my dance bag and eating every chance I could get to keep myself from being sick. I felt soooo sick. My sweet husband had to keep bringing me food! I would not trade those memories of performing pregnant for anything, but I do not know that I would be able to do it again!

God sweetly took my mind off of the loss I felt about ballet and let me focus on this sweet baby that was on its way. Along the way, my sweet husband, mom, and family encouraged me to be thankful. They encouraged me to be thankful for my lighter schedule so I could be home with my boys and for any performances that did come up. One year after my third son was born, my director called me, announcing that he was starting up a company again. I did not see that coming. God is good.

My sweet friend in the dressing room the other day, reminded me again to be thankful for what we do have. She has such a great attitude about it all and she is so thankful for all the performing opportunities that have come up in her life. She could easily complain, but she has chosen to BLOOM where she has been planted, right here in Dallas. Thank you for your example and reminder, sweet friend.

Sisters, You may be dancing in the company of your dreams, or you may feel frantic because you cannot find a job with any company. Or you may be dancing with a company you wished was more this or that….or outside of dance….you may wish you lived in a different neighborhood or a different house or you might think you will be happy when….

But where does that leave us…..frustrated.

Our Lord calls us to contentment – and when we choose to BLOOM where He plants us, He blesses us with His peace that surpasses all understanding and with more surprises and more blessings than we could ever imagine.

So, wherever you are, ask Him to help you BLOOM…the state or time of greatest beauty, vigor, or freshness….in your prime. Are you letting yourself BLOOM where you are? God’s providence is at work – let Him work where you are. For me, contentment is one of those lessons I can easily forget. It is a daily choice I need God to help me choose. How about you?

Prayer: “Amazing Lord, thank You for your perfect timing, Your sovereign hand over our lives, Your gifts….Your many,many gifts. Help me count them one by one….every single day. Give me the grace to be thankful for exactly where You have me. Give me faith to trust You with the future. Give me renewed hope that You are in control. Help me BLOOM right here.”