Uprooted.

Oh what a season it was to have the privilege to train many individuals, men and women, at a health and fitness facility. I knew God had me there for a purpose. The first time I stepped foot into that building, eager to join a community of group fitness, I was hired as staff, never asking or even applying for the job. Again, I knew it was God. Stepping out of a season of silence and more molding, just had finished writing my first book, I knew it was time to be in a work place once again. Many people were seen and so loved by God in that little fitness facility, and they didn't even know it. So He sent His servant to tell them, encourage them and pray for/with them. Lives were led to Jesus, and people were built up. Yet, I'll never forget how God almost audibly told me "it's time to go. Put your notice in." Only being about 8 months into the job, I sadly, yet peacefully put my notice in and trained with as much passion as I could put out my last two weeks there.

On my last day, I was overwhelmed with cards, gifts, goodies, flowers, and such, from the relationships that were built in such a short time. Yet, there was this one particular gift that had my attention. A cute, small plant. The cute thing was planted in a tiny white glass pot that said "thank you". Now mind you, I have always left the green thumb business to my husband, Stephen, because homegirl will either over water, under water or burn plants in the sun. I use to THINK I knew what I was doing, but the plants never had a chance with me. Poor things. (Yes, plural as in I've unintentionally killed many. *tear*) But with this plant, with it being so cute in it's little pot, and how it was such a meaningful gift to me from a client, I was determined to care for it and not allow it to die. WITHOUT depending on my green thumbed husband. And God as my witness, I have done just that.

However, here recently I began to notice how the plant was now drooping over the sides of the little glass pot that it was in, in an un-elegant way. And as much care I was giving it, just enough sun and water (and encouraging it to grow by speaking to it *my grandma once told me to do that...is that really a thing or???*) and as much as it's been flourishing, not only was it beginning to hang over the sides, parts of the bottom of the pant began to die. I didn't understand why it was now dying?? Until my husband gave it a looksy and said something I had no clue about "well.. it looks like you've gotta re-plant it." "What? Take it out of it's cute little home? Why?" I asked. "Well because it's outgrown the pot. If you keep it in there, it'll stop growing and eventually die. It's meant to be put in a bigger pot so it can keep growing."

Shortly after that small conversation, I took Troy, my son (dog), for a walk and I heard the Lord tell me. "Just like your plant, I too must uproot my people from certain comfort in order to fulfill my will in their life." And it made so much sense! So many times I've been given a new job, lived in a new place, done a new thing, and the beginning of each journey is honestly difficult. And usually, not always, new beginnings are uncomfortable. But then, after a few weeks, months, years... you get the swing of things and bada bing you slip into being comfortable. You stop learning because you already know everything there is to learn in that season. And you stop growing because there's no longer any challenges when it comes to your mentality etc.

Now hear me out, there's nothing wrong with being comfortable. However, if you want to become all that God has created you to be, and do all that He has created you to do, comfort only comes in small spurts. Our good good Father has some high standards for us. With good reason. And this journey of growing into those standards can definitely be uncomfortable. But my gosh... looking back in each season and being able to see the growth that takes place is one heck of a view. And causes you to praise our good God for always beckoning us onward from glory to glory and faith to faith.

So I end with this: are you in a season of being uprooted, Love? Uncomfortable and nervous. My best advice would be, embrace it. Embrace the wider spectrums that the Lord has given you to grow into. By the time you reach full capacity of this pot, there you'll go to another. And my my my, what a wonderful thing that is, when we truly think about it.

With so much love, your girl,

- Brand