Planted For Purpose

I visited a local nursery a few months ago to buy vegetable plants for our garden.  I took Aaron with me, hoping that he would enjoy seeing the various goodies that we were going to plant in our garden.  But Aaron had eyes for one thing only – sunflowers!

“MOM!!” he exclaimed as I stood at the counter to pay, “can I get some sunflowers?” 

I turned to see him with the packet of sunflower seeds already in hand, so I agreed.  He watched carefully as the cashier scanned the small package, all the while talking excitedly to her about how we were going to grow SUNFLOWERS!!

We decided to plant the little seeds between our house and our neighbor’s house, near her raised garden beds.  This way, their children could also enjoy the sunflowers.  Amanda loved the idea, so one afternoon Gary dug the holes…I handed three seeds to Aaron to plant in each hole…and Aaron bent over to place them in the ground.  We covered them up and went about our day.

Aaron wanted those sunflowers to be growing the next day but growing takes time.  Growing takes lots of patience.  One day, though, we saw the tiny shoots emerging from the ground!  Aaron was SO excited!  Over the next weeks we watched each little bitty plant become more and more established.  They grew!

But not into the huge sunflowers that we have had in the past.  These seem to be smaller sunflowers, or maybe they are responding to the harsh heat and the dry weather we have had.

Then one day, Amanda texted me with some exciting news.  We had a bloom!  Later, Aaron and I walked out to the row of sunflowers and sure enough, there was one bloom.

I noticed something that day.  The pretty sunflower that had been the first to bloom was the smallest of the others in that row.  Its flower wasn’t large and impressive like ones you typically see in Kansas fields. 

Yet the happiness that our little blooming sunflower gave all of us was huge!

Sometimes I feel like my life is that of the small sunflower.  Others are living more impressive lives similar to the taller sunflowers that stood on each side of our shorter plant…lives, quite honestly, that I thought I might have.

But God has taken that measly sunflower that bloomed first and has used it to reinforce a lesson I know well in my head but don’t often practice in my heart.

Yesterday God gave me a verse that says it perfectly, as only God can:

        “The Lord has made everything for its own purpose…” (Proverbs 16:4)

God has planted me where I am for a purpose.

And more importantly, God has planted Aaron in my life for a purpose as well. 

If I believe in God’s sovereignty…and I do…then I must also believe that every area of my life is sovereignly planned with purpose by Him.

My idea of great purpose is usually not God’s idea.

Yet God’s idea is always best and right.  Not always easy or even fulfilling on many days…but always best.

I can live a life that shines for God as I care for Aaron, or I can live a stunted life of anger and questions and comparisons to others.

I can see Aaron as a weight that keeps me down, or I can see Aaron as a means of experiencing God’s joy.

I can bloom or I can wither.

And here’s the catch.  Often no one…NO one…sees my bloom.  I feel like my life has no purpose.

But God clearly says that He has made everything for its own purpose.

I am to bloom brightly for Him, not so that my bloom will necessarily be seen and admired by others but so that I will grow in grace and be more like Christ.

So, little sunflower, I am thankful that you were planted where you were.  I’m thankful for yet another lesson that God planted in my heart using the least of these.

May I live a faithful life no matter how small I think it might be.

Author: Patty hesaidwhatks

I'm Patty and I write about our adult son who has Epilepsy and Autism, who still lives with my husband and me, and who is a package full of many surprises and joys and challenges and TALK! Lots of talking, which creates laughter and some other reactions as well. I also write about how God shows Himself to me in everyday life.

47 thoughts on “Planted For Purpose”

      1. I would love to use this wonderful in the Sunshine Newsletter which we give out at the nursing homes. If I have your permission, I just need to trim it down a bit to fit our tiny format. Let me know.

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  2. I can’t tell you how many times you have been a “big bloom” in my life just by reading your posts! God is using you in a quiet but mighty way. Thank you for sharing❤️

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  4. Just what I needed to hear from the Lord. Thank you Patty for being His willing instrument!

    The Lord bless you and be gracious to you and give you peace. 🙏🏽

    >

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  6. This post brought tears to my eyes! You may think you’re a small sunflower, Patty, but I see you–with your strong spirit, sweet nature, and humble heart–as huge. No doubt those in your community who know you are greatly encouraged by your example, as are we who read your posts. Thank you for your faithfulness–already on display!

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  8. Patty, Aaron’s little sunflower blossomed into a beautiful, vibrant post. The back and forth picture you painted of growing versus withering was poignant. Growing at times can be seamless and at other times so hard especially when withering conditions persist. I hope Aaron gets to enjoy watching the birds come and feast on the sunflower’s seeds later this summer.

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  9. Pingback: Planted For Purpose — He Said What?! – Jesusluvsall's Blog

  10. This summer, I have been “meditating” on bloom where you are planted. As you said: bloom brightly for Him, not so that my bloom will necessarily be seen and admired by others but so that I will grow in grace and be more like Christ. A wonderful goal! 💗💐🌺

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  13. What an impressive life looks like is a matter of perspective. In my eyes your life doesn’t come out as one of the smaller sunflowers. It may feel that way. I can so understand that feeling. I haven’t lived what feels like a gloriously fulfilling life. It’s been a struggle and a challenge. It’s been what often feels like I’m being held back or left on a shelf. But I too have been planted for a purpose. I still dream that my territory will increase, and/or I’ll one day be transplanted. But now I suddenly feel like I’m jabbering and need to wrap this up…. 🙃 You shine. You do shine. Your bloom is quite impressive from the right perspective. I have to learn to be content in all circumstances. That requires the right perspective too. God bless.

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    1. Thank you, Tina. It’s easy as a caregiver of our special needs son to feel like I am limited in activities or influence that others may have, but God shows me in many ways that what I am doing is what He wants for me to do – and that is enough. Like you said, it requires the right perspective – God’s perspective. I appreciate your jabbering :). Bless you!

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  14. Personally, I think you are living out your faith more fully than most people. You are making a huge difference in Aaron’s life, and you also share the wisdom you’ve learned with the rest of us. That’s quite an accomplishment! Often the people who do the most good are also the ones who don’t get any credit for it, but that doesn’t diminish their contribution.

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  16. Your life indeed shines purpose as you share how God is teaching and moving in and around you and your family..I love that you post these stories and lessons as they point to God. As I read your stories I feel God’s presence through each word, such a blessing and I know many others who read your blog would say the same. Thank you Patty for your obedience in listening to how God’s speaking and then sharing it with us.❤️

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  17. This post reminds me of something God spoke to my heart when I first started blogging. The natural man wants lots of followers and comments. Then we would feel successful! But God put it in my heart that if I encouraged just one person with my post, then that was pretty awesome! He reminded me that the Apostle Paul went house to house spreading the Gospel! Patty, your blog blesses and encourages many people. That is no small thing! I, for one, thank God for your obedience. And I know others do, too! Blessings, my friend!

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  18. Your “bloom” definitely has purpose. I enjoy reading your blog and the stories you share. It gives me hope and encouragement as I walk a similar path of disability with my son. God gets glory from your life and story for sure! I’m so glad you choose to share it! Thank you!

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    1. Thank you, Tiffany. You have encouraged me as well. It’s so sweet to have a common fellowship over similar circumstances. I love how God uses us in each other’s lives to edify one another. All of us planted in our purpose and blooming for God’s glory!

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  20. Hi Patty! I just wanted to let you know that I approved your comment on “If Truth Is Silenced …”, but it doesn’t seem to be showing up in the comment section and I can’t figure out how to fix it. I also sent you a reply. I hope you got it. I hope all is well in your neck of the woods. Blessings, my friend!

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      1. Yes! Here’s my reply: Thank you, Patty. The Word of God does “stand in sharp contrast” to the world today. I strongly agree that we need God’s wisdom about when to speak up in this culture. I am amazed at how easily people have been brain-washed into accepting radical ideas. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Blessings, my friend!

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