BLOOM – For a Season and Rest For a Reason

by Liz Giertz, Contributing Writer

It would be irresponsible and kind of mean for me to suggest that blooming was a piece of cake. It is hard work. In my research I was unable to discover a single variety of plant that bloomed year round. There are some types of indoor or hot house grown varieties that bloom prolifically, but they require constant and intense management and nourishment by the gardener. That is because producing these gorgeous, fragrant, enticing flowers is extremely taxing on the plant. It requires a lot of extra energy and nutrients.

The same is true for us. Blooming is hard work.

I’ll be honest, I’ve served in several positions that required a lot of extra energy. During these flowering times, God has been more than faithful to provide it for me, but I’ve also had to be intentional about nourishing my soul and restoring my reserves.

Blooms can get heavy and cause the plant to topple over. But there are mechanisms to help support plants – cages, stakes, and rings. Devices that don’t interfere with the blooming, but keep the plant standing.

We need these type of people in our lives, too. People who pray for us, look after us by meeting physical needs, and let us lean on them when we are weary.

Just like Moses needed Aaron and Hur to help hold up his arms during the battle of the Amalekites, we need people to support us when were are blooming. The best support systems are in place long before the blooming begins, so start looking for these people now.

Plants bloom for a season, then they rest for a reason. Some bloom year after year like perennials, but even they rest to store up resources for the next blooming season. Some plants bloom for an extended season while others come and go in a day or two.

Farmers rest portions of their fields cyclically. If they don’t, over time their harvests become less and less plentiful as the soil becomes worn out. Periods of rest allow farmer’s fields to replenish their nutrient supplies in order to produce a more bountiful harvest in subsequent years.

Sometimes we misinterpret these seasons as signs of barrenness. Make no mistake, dear sisters, seasons of resting are not passive or pointless. Rather, they serve a great purpose. Resting gives us the opportunity to replenish our strength through the Word and prayer, so that we are fully prepared when God calls us into another blooming season.

As an Army wife, I move every 2 – 3 of years. I typically take the first 6 months to a year at a new duty station to REST. I lay low, sit in the back, and try to give a gracious no to volunteer opportunities that come my way until I feel God’s (not always) gentle prodding to get back to work. For those of you that don’t move so often, it can be challenging to step back from service and leadership. But maybe after today, you’ll encourage each other to do just that.

Let’s remove the stigma associated with saying NO. It’s not a dirty word. I promise. Our ministries and organizations would be a lot better off if we encouraged and equipped each other to lead and allowed each other to take a break from time to time.

God has a purpose for every bloom no matter how bountiful or brief, but resting seasons allow us to restore our resources. As Ecclesiastes 3 tells us, there is a season for everything, and that includes both blooming and resting.

Seasons of Rest help us replenish our strength through the Word and prayer @LizGiertz http://bit.ly/SeasonOfRest Click To Tweet

We simply weren’t made to sustain full bloom on all our branches all the time. Sometimes the removal of some dead wood is required, too. And that will be our topic of discussion in the next lesson!

Blossoms of Fun Question:

Join us on our Facebook page and Instagram  at Noon EST for some summertime fun.

What is your favorite flower and why?

Study Questions

1) Read Exodus 17:8-13. Explain what Moses’s rod represented. Can you remember a time when you grew weary carrying the banner of faith in times of trouble? What does it mean to you that Aaron and Hur propped up Moses’s arms instead of taking the rod from him and holding it up themselves?

2) Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Which of these seasons are you in currently? Can you recall times you spent in other seasons?

3) Read Galatians 6:9. What is the benefit if we do not grow weary while doing good? What does a harvest look like for you?

4) Find one or two people you trust and ask them in a way that works for you to support you when you become weary.

5) List 3 practical ways you can rest before your next blooming season.

Join us in the comment section below and tell us your answers to the study questions.

---

Liz Giertz is a Veteran turned Army wife and mom to two boisterous boys and one shelter dog who provide endless writing material. Until the next set of orders arrive, they call FT Hood, Texas home.

Liz is passionate about encouraging women to overcome MESSES, embrace MEMORIES, and become the MASTERPIECES God created them to be.

Liz is not only a contributing writer for Real Women, but she also is gracious with her wisdom and guidance as an advisor team member.  In addition, Liz partners with Real Women Ministries through sharing her #WordNerdWednesday posts with our social media community.

You can connect with Liz on her blog, My Messy Desk , as well as onFacebook, Twitter and Instagram