I took a 7-question survey to determine my Word for the New Year. My word is “Bloom.” In fact, I didn’t like that word, so I took the survey again, answering the questions slightly differently, and I got the word “Abide.” Now curious to see if I could discover other key words, I took the survey two more times, slightly different answers again each time, and got “Bloom” again, and “Gather.”
I guess my word is “Bloom.”
I’m not particularly thrilled with that word. It makes me think of the quote “Bloom where you are planted,” which I’m not especially fond of. So I discussed it with my husband.
To me, that phrase refers to now- ness, accepting where I am without longing for someplace I was previously, or something more that I want, and instead accepting my current situation and thriving here. Not all bad, right? Except to me, there’s an element of settling, giving in, surrendering, capitulating. It has a mild negative connotation.
Upon further discussion, maybe it means being “all in,” or being mindful in the current moment. My husband said the word reminds him of roots that grow, of springtime and newness. He’s picturing a new plant; I’m visualizing an established flower. I think I like his interpretation better.
“Bloom where you are planted.” Give life your best in your current circumstances.
If I take that idiom apart a little bit, I can see that where I am is where God has me right now. It’s a place on the journey we’re traveling together, where He’s leading me and this is one of the stops along the way.
Maybe it refers to this season of my life. How can I bloom – or how should I abide – here and now? What can I do to bring Him glory in my current situation?
All the words the survey revealed – Bloom (2x), Abide, Gather – could all be applied to flowers. Flowers have to abide – stay deep in the soil – to gather the nutrients they need to bloom. And blooms are often gathered to make a bouquet, full of bright colors and fragrant aromas.
So maybe I’m a flower. I’m to abide – stay close to Christ – so I can bloom and produce a fragrant offering to Him. And I can be gathered with other flowers – other people in my life – to manifest His beauty from our lives. Our lives of blooming where we’re planted. Right here. Right now.
Sunny with a Chance of Clouds 
I like the word bloom Peg. I think you can make it work for you. I’ve never done this choose a word thing….not sure its something I like or can adhere to. I would, however, like to take the survey and see what it comes up with for me. Although I’ve never really chosen a word, I have given it more thought this year than ever before. Maybe the survey will help me decide. Feel free to PM me if you’d rather. Thanks! Oh, and I really liked the reflectiveness of your post.
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Thanks, Carol. I kinda liked the survey, as is evidenced by me taking it 3 times!😁 I like the idea of a word for the year. Let me know what you come up with.
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Can you provide a link to the survey?
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It was in the blog – click the word survey. Here it is again: https://www.dayspring.com/yourwordquiz#/home
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Okay. Sorry. I am scattered today and did not notice. Thanks.
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No problem!
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I like how you processed your word (s). I also think Bloom is perfect for you as you described. I am thrilled with my word and I’m not going to second guess it. “REST” Looking forward to 2020!
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Sometimes teachers would give pop quizzes just to make sure we were paying attention. They weren’t worth as much and sometimes didn’t even count.
How about “What word fits what God wants us to strive toward this year?”
My word would be consistency – right around the word faithfulness. LOL
I like your musing 😀
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Thanks, Kathleen. I like your word choice. Another I thought of might be “deeper.” Deeper relationships with God, friends. Delving deeper into God’s Word and prayer. Deeper into my hobbies, my goals (I really want to write my book this year, so deeper discipline). Hmm. The more I think of that, the more I like that word!
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