And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:12 (NKJ)
Some time ago, I had the idea of writing a devotional book about things I saw in nature on my walks around the farm. I stalled after coming up with maybe a dozen devotionals and put the project on the shelf. But a few of them, including this one, can be found on my website. I decided to share this one here because a couple of weeks ago I posted a picture of a yellow wildflower I had spotted on my walk. That led to another little yellow flower picture and it became a game to see how many days I could spot a different new yellow flower on my walks. I’m up to flower number 16 and until today, I hadn’t admitted spotting that yellow dandelion. But now it’s the dandelion’s day. So that’s why I’m posting what I imagine God might have thought after he created the dandelion.
The Lesson of the Dandelion
God made the dandelion and said, “It is good. This plant is tough but has a bloom like a spot of sun to make my children smile. It is plentiful so they can eat the leaves and still never lack for flowers.”
He smiled when the seed ball popped up. “Yes, my little children will have fun with that, and look at all the fresh seeds for my songbirds weary from the winter. Yes, it is good.”
Ah, the dandelion, that common yellow flower that blooms from spring to fall and even sometimes in the dead of winter after a few days of sunshine. This spring was a particularly good dandelion season. For a while all the lawns and fields were dotted with their sunspots. The roar of lawnmowers soon followed, but dandelions know when to duck their heads so that the next day they can push their white fluffy seed balls high into the air to cover the lawns like snow. It’s not hard to imagine God smiling when His little children run out to free the seeds to the wind or when the birds enjoy the springtime feast or when mothers receive wilted bouquets of the blooms from small warm fists. Love in its purest form.
Yet has there ever been any other plant that more money or labor has been spent attempting to eradicate? We poison it, chop it, dig it out by the roots, and still the dandelion not only survives, but flourishes.
The early Christians had that same staying power as the world tried to destroy them, but they put their trust in Jesus and would not be conquered. They kept spreading the seed of the Good News around the world.
Are we sunspots of God’s love in whatever place we’re planted? Do we share the seeds of our faith with those who need nourishment after a hard winter? Do we remember the children to be sure the message is always carried on? Does God look down at what we’re doing and say, “Yes, it is good?”
Thanks for reading.
Comments 10
Hi Ann, I minister to men in prison. It has been a year now since we have been able to go in the prison for worship services or classes so I am looking for new ways to minister to them. There has been much depression due to no family visits, no worship services, no Christian classes and no volunteers, plus the fact that they are locked down so that the virus won’t spread. Our church has started a devotional newsletter just for inmates. We want to encourage them and give them something spiritually edifying. Since they cannot read your work online would you give me permission to publish your devotion on The Lesson of the Dandelion and any other work you would like to share with them? It would be very much appreciated by many.
Blessings in Jesus’ name,
Kathy Farrar
Pampa Prison Ministries
Author
How nice of you to poke around and find this devotional written some time ago, Kathy. I’m fine with you reprinting it in your newsletter. Blessings on your work there to help those men in the prison. It has been a hard year for so many.
Hi Ann,
I absolutely loved your devotion that you wrote.
I also love Dandelions too. A little boy who was a missionary called me dandelion! I loved it when he would call me that and he would also pick dandelions and say this is for you. So sweet so when I see a dandelion I Remember that
Are you going to get your devotional published?
oh.hello.hiya@gmail.com
Author
I guess I just did publish it, sort of, right here, Danie. This is one of my favorites. Maybe someday I'll work on that Hiker's Devotional book again and come up with more ideas.
I've always loved dandelions. 😉
pmettert@yahoo.com
Author
So have I, Ann. I haven't blown on a puff ball for a while, but maybe I will be a kid again today and release some of those seeds to the wind.
Thank you for this wonderful post.
mauback55 at gmail dot com
Author
Glad you enjoyed reading my dandelion devotional, Melanie. Thank you.
Love the dandelion devotional! I'm keeping it to share.
dangrace@frontiernet.net
Author
Thank you, Grace. Please feel free to share my dandelion devotional. I would appreciate that.