Jared unloaded the car of the few boxes he’d brought ahead of the moving truck. He strolled through each room. The house was larger than he remembered, but perhaps that was simply because the last time they were here, it contained the previous occupants’ furniture. He glanced at his watch. The movers would be here in an hour or two. There wasn’t much to do before they arrived. He set the boxes in the closet and opened the large sliding doors and walked out to the deck.

The sun was shining, and the temperature was perfect for May. Jared gazed out across his new backyard. It would need to be mowed soon. So many changes. Why did he have to be transferred? Sure, he was grateful he hadn’t been laid off, like several of his coworkers, but he’d been comfortable in Springfield. They had friends, and the girls liked their school. Now he’d have to meet new coworkers, they’d need to make new friends, meet the neighbors… Speaking of which…

Jared turned toward the yard next door. A man about his age dug around a hydrangea bush. Jared watched for a few minutes. What was he doing? Finally, the man finished his digging and hoisted the bush into the wheelbarrow next to him. He wheeled the bush into the front yard and Jared lost sight of him.

Curious, Jared headed down the deck stairs and walked around to the front yard in time to see the man dropping the bush into a hole in the front yard. Jared approached, and the man straightened and wiped his brow.

“Are you my new neighbor?” The man stretched out his hand. “Kevin Alberts.”

 Jared shook Kevin’s hand. “Jared Harper. Nice to meet you. And yes. The moving truck will be here today. My wife and daughters will join me on Tuesday, after everything is a bit more livable, but I start work on Monday, so I needed to get here earlier.”

“Welcome to the neighborhood. Did you move for the job?”

Jared nodded. “Yeah, I got transferred. Not thrilled about it, but this seems like a nice town. I’m sure we’ll be fine.” He thrust his hands in his pockets. “Why are you moving your bushes?”

 “When the bushes were planted, the trees behind them were small. Now the trees give too much shade and the hydrangeas aren’t getting the sun they need to fully bloom. The soil is a little better in the front as well. Better drainage.”

Jared frowned. “What ever happened to ‘bloom where you’re planted’?”

Kevin’s gaze was thoughtful. “Sometimes it’s possible to do that, but other times, it’s healthier to move. More fertile soil, more sun, and better access to moisture can all help a plant bloom. You know, that happens in life sometimes as well. Sometimes we can be smothered by toxic relationships or unhealthy friendships that stunt our growth. Other times we might be in a perfectly healthy situation, but God moves us to a new place to challenge us or to give us new opportunities to grow.”

 “I never thought about it that way.” Jared scratched his chin. “Could you use some help here?”

Kevin grinned. “I’d love some. And once we’re done, you can come in for a drink. I think my wife is making cookies.”

“How could I pass that up?” Jared asked.

Kevin patted his stomach. “I never can. I must’ve gained twenty pounds since we got married.”

As the men worked, forging a bond that could only come from laboring together, Jared couldn’t get over how easily conversation came. He was more at ease with Kevin than he’d been with his neighbors back home, even after living in that house for ten years. Something was different about Kevin. He was more genuine, more caring. Before long, the conversation turned to church.

“Since you’ve only just gotten here, I assume you haven’t yet picked out a church,” Kevin said.

Jared frowned. When was the last time they’d been to church? “Ahh, no. Can’t say that’s been on the top of the list of priorities.”

“I’ll make it easy for you then. Come on over around 9:45 tomorrow morning and you’ll ride with us. You can check it out this week, and then you’ll be all set to take the family next weekend after they’re settled in.”

For some reason, Jared agreed. If the people at Kevin’s church were anything like him, he was in.

Hours later, as Jared eased his aching muscles into his recliner, now in place in the den, he reflected on the day. After meeting the rest of Kevin’s family and yes, eating cookies, Kevin had helped him arrange the house long after the movers were gone. Jared even had dinner with the Alberts family. And he’d agreed to attend church with them tomorrow. He shook his head. Not the day he would have expected. He thought the house would have felt cold and empty until Caitlyn and the girls arrived, but something stirred deep inside his soul. Hope. Maybe he’d be blooming in this new place after all.

Deuteronomy 31:8

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

God, sometimes we need You to pull us out of our comfort zone. There are times we get complacent and comfortable in places You never meant for us to stay. Thank You for going before us both in life, and in heaven, where You prepare a place for us. Help us to be open to the opportunities You have for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.