BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED

The family and friends have all hit the road North, and Jerry and I are once again by ourselves. It was a lovely month and a half, but, now I want to meet the road here in Leisure World with my shoes meant for walkin' and my heart meant for talkin'.

Today I'm trusting I will know what to say and when to say it...(this coming from a woman often subjected to incredibly wacky notions!) But one place where I am solid...that is knowing my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and His expectations of me. These expectations are not hard fast rules, as some might think, but my gifts to give because of His gifts given.

So, I want to begin by suggesting we read Matthew 10:5 and 6 as it reads in THE MESSAGE. "Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here."

Jesus gave this command to His twelve followers and sent them out into the villages to tenderly care for the people and tell them about the new kingdom. He gave them much advice about what to expect in return for their administrations to the people and warned them to be courteous and accepting even if treated unkindly.

This whole chapter of Matthew is good to read and practice when visiting neighbors today. The Cursillo and Walk to Emmmaus Communities would call this: "Make a friend. Be a friend. Bring that friend to Christ." The groups also maintained the practice of "Bloom where you are planted." Accepting those mottos has not been hard; it's such a natural thing to do.

I'd like to think that my life is beginning to bloom right here in Leisure World. If I can just learn to stay in the steps of the Master, I should walk all right and "bloom" in serving the Lord wherever I get. Making friends and serving them is the easy part, but I must really trust God to do the rest. I wait to see if there is a readiness and a desire in each person to know Him, and to want Him as their own.

I pray Matthew 10:20 for myself--and for you, too--"The right words will be there; The Spirit of your Father will supply the words."

So like Little Red Riding Hood, I'm off to the neighborhood. My grandma isn't waiting, but perhaps sombody's grandma is. This can be a lonely community for those widowed and without family here. God will provide the will and the way.

It's good to be back. May God bless you through your ordeals and joys.

And let us be friends...as I'll see you in Eternity!

Jo