I love beautiful landscaping. It adds beauty and character to a home. Designing great landscaping requires a bit of artistic creativity, as well as knowledge of flowers, plants, trees, and bushes. Having a vision of what you want it to look like once it grows and matures isn’t enough, you must also have knowledge and understanding of the area you're working on.
How much sun exposure does it get? Is the soil fertile and rich with nutrients? Are there nearby shrubs or trees that aren't full-grown that will affect the amount of sunlight in the future? How close to the house, sidewalk, or driveway is it? What climate zone are you in? These are some things you will need to consider before you begin.
Your dream may be to have a backyard filled with sunflowers or a front walkway lined with hostas, but each plant is different and has basic needs that must be met for it to take root and flourish. Human beings are quite similar. We are all unique and we each have our own set of needs to grow and thrive.
Much like a landscaping project, there must be a plan, a vision for what you would like to be. But before you hastily plant yourself somewhere, you've got to know and understand who you are and what makes you tick. If you lack self-awareness, you may plant yourself in a place that lacks the essentials you need to develop and prosper.
It would be like planting sunflowers in a shady backyard, or hostas along a walkway in full sun. Both flowers have the potential to thrive, but only if they are rooted in an environment that supports their needs. Without knowledge of the plant, you risk placing it in an area where it cannot grow. If you plow ahead to create your dream landscape without understanding the needs of the sunflower and hasta, your flowers will wither and die. Sometimes we have a vision, but the environment just isn’t right for healthy growth.
My friend, where are you rooted? If you aren't growing and flourishing, maybe it's time to dig deep inside to gain knowledge and understanding of yourself. You may have wounds that need tending. You may have painful memories you must face. You may have attitudes and behaviors that need pruning. If you are wilted and thirsty, you may need to be uprooted and replanted in an environment where you can thrive.
May we all dig deep inside ourselves to discover who we are. May we discover what we need for healthy growth. May we be rooted in rich soil, planted in an area with the just the right amount of sunlight, and an adequate supply of water.
A plant cannot flourish unless its basic needs are met. Where a plant is rooted is crucial for it to grow, mature, and bring beauty to the world around it.
Blessings!
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.