And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
I confess to a fondness for dandelions. I don't particularly like them all over my yard, nor on the church lawn, but nothing says spring quite like a bright green field full of cheery, yellow flowers.
A parishioner and friend from many years ago once wrote a poem about the two of us called, "The Dandelion and the Rose." I will let you guess about which was which, but I found the idea intriguing.
This morning I looked out the bedroom window to see the empty field behind our house covered in these bright flowers. I smiled. As I said, I kind of like them. Did you know they are found all over the world? I'd like to be a dandelion person, and I'd love a church full of dandelion-style people. Just weeds? No.
About Dandelions
They don't get discouraged easily.
You know this if you've tried to get rid of them.
They adapt to their conditions and keep happily thriving.
Mow them off and next time they just bloom lower to the ground and keep right on growing.
They are cheery, even though they are not glamorous.
They don't need to be in a fancy vase to function well.
Children like them.
They are the flower of choice for toddlers picking bouquets.
They may not be the best, but can serve lots of functions in a pinch.
The dandelion is very high in vitamins A and C, with more beta carotene than carrots, more potassium than broccoli or spinach, and healthy doses of iron and copper, Dandelion tea is a tonic believed to help generally strengthen the whole body. The white sap from the stems or roots can be applied directly to ease the pain of sores and bee stings. You can make a passable coffee substitute by grinding roasted roots.
They spread seeds of growth everywhere the wind blows.
We may not like this, since they are a weed, but think of the lovely little halo of seeds as a breath blows on them. What happens to us when the breath of God, the Spirit, blows?
What makes the dandelion so strong, tenacious and widespread, blooming in spite of adverse conditions? It is the taproot. The root of a dandelion can sometimes grow a foot long! Have you ever tried to pull one up once it is established? The root goes down deep into the soil.
Ephesians 3: 16-18
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
God, May our roots go down deep into the soil of your love! Show us your heart, both for others and also for ourselves. Help us to be cheerful, useful, adaptable, lovable, and willing to do what we can where we find ourselves growing. Amen
11 comments:
My husband once chided me because I said something negative about dandelions. Afterall, if they stayed within the confines of the raised bed, they would be "desireable." Much worse is the yarrow. It gets into everything and takes over.
Yeah, too bad they won't stay put, eh? ;-)
That'll preach!
I've always kinda liked dandelions, too. When I was a little girl, I thought I was such the princess when I made myself a dandelion chain crown and necklace!
Beautiful post, Singing Owl. I treasure one of the last pictures of Rachel, in a pink dress, holding a dandelion I picked for her on the way home from Latin class.
Many blessings for a deep experience of resting and drinking in God's love on your retreat this weekend.
((((ML))))
I too have a dandelion picture, of Kris (Trinity's mommy) when she was about eight months old. I'll have to go find it.
I am leaving soon for the retreat, first gotta stop at nursing homef. Thank you. :-)
Iris, that'll preach? Hey, I think you are right. Or at least make a good object lesson!
LOL. I've always loved dandelions. They are sunny and cheerful. What's not to like?
I can't say I adore dandelions, but I do adore that beautiful baby in the daffodils!
P.S. Tagged you for the meme going around if you'd care to join in.
If only they could make a passable Mt Dew substitute from the roots. But the dandelion salad I've made weren't too bad. Not saying I'd give up hot wings for it, but it was a nice change of pace.
Nightmare
Love the picture of Trinity Ann!
Mom, I remember Grams telling me that she knew her family wasn't too bad off during the Great Depression becuase they had people coming to their door to ask for permission to pick their dandelions to eat.
Kris
I just read this ... great theological reflection ... using dandelions (gives another perspective to separating the weeds from the wheat, doesn't it?) thanks.
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