Morning Devotional 082025 Bloom Where You Are Planted

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

August 20, 2025

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!

Are you the one who unpacks your clothing and places it in the available dresser when you are staying for more than a couple of days, or do you live out of your suitcase? I am the unpacker. I have even been known to bring some decorations. 

When I go and stay in my dorm room at Wallops each summer, I have a special matching bedspread, sheets, and a small rug (flamingo theme, of course) that always go with me because I want to feel like I belong in that space. After long days of activity, it is comforting to enter into “my” space. 

As someone who has moved more times in my life than I can count on my fingers, I have always included putting pictures on the walls as one of my early tasks. In fact, I sometimes reward myself by hanging a picture for every few boxes I unpack. Again, the pictures adorning the wall announce to me that I’m here for a time, and I should commit to living life. 

Regardless of our situation, we never know how much time we have to walk this earth. Are we going to live like temporary visitors and keep our clothes packed? I believe that we should embrace our lives fully: put pictures on the wall, plant beautiful flowers, join community events, and plan to stay for as long as you are called to be in this space. 

Giving Lord, you bless us abundantly! To feel as if we belong is life-giving. Thank you for including us in your plans. Thank you. We love you, Lord! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: God uses us right where we are.

Wherever you land, bloom into your full self! Pastor Liz