Moving Up and Out

It was time. The leaves on the fern I bought over a year ago were now dwindling and not because of thirst. Months ago, it was much more lush, but I noticed some of the roots had begun to sprout up along the sides of the brown ceramic pot. I guess you could say I've known for awhile that it was time to transplant it into a larger home, but kept putting it off. There was never extra time to make the switch. Thoughts well intended and informed, but not enough until tonight.
About 8:45 p.m., I walked through the door, flipped on the lights, and stared at the green fern sprouting only seven or eight branches from it's center. The dirt was dry and when I tried to water it, it ran straight through and seeped out the bottom. I'm a teacher, not a horticulturist.
When I picked it up, I could lift the whole plant with the dirt compounded around it, out of it's pot. Sure enough, it was root bound. Yellow, thin roots were poking through the sides. I went straight to the closet for potting soil and to search for a bigger pot. Ah, yes. The plastic pot from Home Depot left from another plant. This will have to do. I poured the dirt into the bottom of the larger pot and gently added the fern to the center, before adding more soil on top. I finished with watering. It now rests on the counter in the kitchen to the left of the window. I only hope it starts to thrive once again.
Years ago, I had a similar problem with another plant, except it wasn't getting enough light. Once I moved to a different apartment and placed it in the window that gets the morning sun, it slowly grew back. Today, it is the same size as when I received it five years ago. It was resurrected by the warmth and nutrients from the sun.
I often reflect upon this lesson. There is a time for moving up and out. Location, location, location as they say is truly everything. It is so easy to stay where it is comfortable and put off changing at all costs, but may we not do that when it comes to survival and growth. Ecclesiastes 3:2-3 reads "A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted."
I have lived and worked in the same area for many years now. I've enjoyed it. It is comfortable and it is home, but if God wants to move me up and out, may I have courage and faith to embrace whatever changes lie ahead, so that I may continue to grow and thrive. Time will tell, if and when it will be time for me to move up and out.