Over at lisajobaker.com the fabulous Lisa hosts a weekly blog party called Five Minute Friday.
The rules are simple:
- She decides on a one-word writing prompt. This week it is “Bloom”.
- Bloggers everywhere set their timers for five minutes.
- Our pens fly….can you hear the frantic scritchety-scratch?
- We publish our five-minute masterpiece & share with the world.
Bloom….Flowers…..”Bloom where you are planted.”
Those are thoughts that came to mind at first.
But, that’s what most others thought, too. So that was too easy. Too mainstream for me. (smile)
Yes, I want to bloom where I’m planted. I also want to my children to bloom where they are planted…graciously, peacefully, beautifully. But also strongly, firmly and courageously.
Then a bloom of iron came to mind.
An iron bloom is the mass of iron left over after iron ore has been smelted. After enduring the fire and the oxides have been removed, this iron bloom can then be heated and shaped into tools, sculptors, towers and building material. The iron bloom after being heated, shaped and pounded becomes wrought iron. Wrought iron will last virtually forever if painted and maintained regularly. (1)
Like all raw iron ore, we have impurities in our soul. When we come under fire, the trials of life, we must persevere and endure, so the oxides, impurities of our souls, are slowly removed and we become a mold-able spirit.
Like the iron bloom, when in the fire we are being shaped into whatever the Master Crafter has in mind.
Like the iron bloom, we will emerge stronger, becoming a wrought iron pillar of faith leaving a legacy that will endure throughout generations.
Although wrought iron is used less today than it was in generations past, wrought iron sculptors and towers are still standing today. The most famous would probably be the Eiffel Tower, standing since 1889.
I want to bloom where I’m planted. But, I don’t want to be like a flower whose beauty lasts only a few days, or wilts in the heat of the day.
I want to be like the iron bloom, mold-able, enduring, and persevering. Emerging from the fires a strong, sturdy, immovable, intimidating, unyielding, stout-hearted bloom of iron; a flower of everlasting faith.
“You made me bold and stouthearted.”
~Psalm 138:3~
“Surely he will never be shaken;
a righteous man will be remembered forever.”
~Psalm 112:6~
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
He is my fortress,
I will not be shaken.”
~Psalm 62:6~
Sharing with… Missional Call, Essential Devotions, Missional Women, Christian Mommy Blogger, A Look at the Book, Beauty Observed, Nancherrow, Counting My Blessings, Soul Survivor, A Proverbs 31 Wife, The Beauty in His Grip, Marriage, Motherhood & Missions, Mom’s the Word, The Modest Mom Blog, yes they are all Ours, Looking at the Rays of Grace and Joy, A Mama’s Story, Chronicles of Grace, The Wellspring, She Lives Free, The Life of Faith, Cornerstone Confessions, Teaching What is Good, Renewed Daily, Sandra Heska King
(1) reference
This is an amazing post! I love the analogy and description of the iron bloom. Never knew about that, and it's so appropriate. The analogy makes me feel stronger for going through the fire when things are tough.
Wow! That's a lot a writing for five minutes. This is my first time participating and I was surprised at how quickly the five minutes passed. I really like your use of the iron bloom and the comparisons you made. I must admit, I've never heard of an iron bloom! And, I really love that last bible verse. Good job on the Five Minute Friday!
Welcome to the FMF community! I'll admit, adding the photos, references & Bible verses were outside of the allotted five minutes. I know I'm not supposed to edit, but I have this phobia of misspelled words and improper use of grammer! 🙂 Sometimes I do let it slide, but ITS SO HARD FOR ME! lol
Fantastic view on the word bloom and I love you you took the immediate thought of 'Bloom where you are planted' and built on it. I love the history diagram and bringing it back to iron, because when we bloom in the midst of others, we can encourage them to bloom. So… Iron sharpens Iron, right, and I would have never connected that to a bloom in quite this way w/o your great insight.
This is a great insight on the theme of bloom. I didn't know the terminology iron bloom before and it is a perfect metaphor for standing strong in Christ. I often forget that the difficulties in my life are designed to make me stronger and work out the impurities. I'll have to keep this image in mind next time I'm faced with a challenge. (Which in this house, should only be a few
I am glad you came away from the mainstream.<br />What a great analogy! May we persevere til that Day!!<br />
What a beautifully wrought analogy. I love the image you create and I love the way you used the word prompt in such a unique and powerful way. (and, hey, I learned something, too)<br /><br />Thank you for your words and your encouragement. So glad to have discovered your words through the FMF family 🙂
Wonderful post Kaylene. I love wrought iron. Probably because I love Early American Decor and old tools. By God's grace and love we can be blooms that last. So cool! Many blessings! Thanks for sharing this at CMB.
Thanks for teaching me about a bloom of iron. Great post! Also, thanks for visiting me at Doorkeeper. Blessings, Kaylene!
i love this Kaylene – a new way to look at BLOOM. Me too….I desire to be a bloom that lasts.
Kaylene,<br />Thanks for teaching me something new…never knew about iron bloom…what a great analogy 🙂
SO beautiful. What an amazing visual you provided! Gave me a whole new perspective on "blooming". I love the way you think – outside of the box. Very inspirational. I want bloom like iron too…. thanks to your words!
"Bloom of iron"…new learning for me and ever so welcome 🙂
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