Blooming in November?

Today I came across this photo, which I took at the Smithsonian Gardens in Washington, D.C., a few years ago . . . in November . . . when all the leaves outside were falling to the ground in a cold wind.

These beautiful flowers show me that when we’re under the tender, loving care of our Master Gardener, we can bloom anywhere at anytime. 

We’re not limited to only blooming in the spring. We can bloom even when we’re taken out of our comfort zone, planted in an unfamiliar place, with springtime feeling long gone.

If we let our Master Gardener come close and do that (sometimes painful) work of cultivating, we can bloom when everything around us is brown or gray. And by blooming at an unexpected time, we can bring admiration and praise to the Gardener.

Unfortunately, I'm not always eager to let the Master Gardener close. I'd rather be

comfortable than have Him weed or prune me. And sometimes I frankly don't care whether or not I bring the Gardener glory. I don't want to be taken out of my comfort zone. I don't want to be planted in an unfamiliar place. I don't want to bloom when everything around me is brown or gray. I'd rather be comfy and cozy. I'd rather fit in. 

Can you relate? 

How do you coax your heart to open and let Him come closer?