Morning Devotional 031626 Bloom Where You Are Planted

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

March 16, 2026

Jeremiah 29:4-7

4 The LORD of heavenly forces, the God of Israel, proclaims to all the exiles I have carried off from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and settle down; cultivate gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Get married and have children; then help your sons find wives and your daughters find husbands in order that they too may have children. Increase in number there so that you don’t dwindle away. 7 Promote the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because your future depends on its welfare.

Good Morning, Bloom where you are planted.

I have been blessed to move many times in my life. No, that isn’t a misprint. In our early marriage, we moved as Lowell’s duty stations changed up and down the east coast. As a UM pastor’s family we moved around Virginia about every 6-7 years. Now to be sure, moving is hard, especially in the throngs of packing, unpacking, and learning your way in a new place. Despite the challenges, moving is also filled with so many blessings. 

With each move, we met new people, tried new things, and grew in hope as we trusted in the Lord’s guidance. We often depended upon the welfare of our new community and friends. In return for being welcomed, we planted trees, flowers, and vegetables, we performed basic upkeep of our parsonage, and we lived life fully. 

With time, the struggles associated with moving have faded away, and what remains are the opportunities that we would have missed without go where we were called. The precious memories flood my soul. 

When my worries try to challenge my trust, I fall back on one of my favorite mantra verses. Isaiah 41:10. Fear not, I am with you; O be not dismayed. For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid. I strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand. Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand. 

God of Wisdom, you bless us abundantly! Help us listen and go where we are called. Thank you for guiding us. We love you. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Thought for the day: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Go where you are called! Pastor Liz