Weeds and Dandelions
Today as I was washing dishes at my kitchen sink, my eyes traveled out the window to my back lawn. It looked rather beaten up after the recent rain storms and my first thought was, “Wow! That sure needs to be mowed.” But then, I looked again. Popping up all over the green space were little touches of bright sunny yellow. Dandelions! And I smiled. I know they can be a gardener’s nightmare, but personally, I like Dandelions. They are bright and cheerful and grow everywhere, whether you want them to or not. They are tough little flowers and can withstand quite a bit of abuse. As I finished washing my dishes I kept on glancing outside, feeling my spirit soar each time my eyes were greeted with the little splashes of yellow that danced across my lawn. I wondered why so many of us want to rid our gardens of them.
Do you have weeds in your life? I know I do. Those little undesirable imperfections in our appearance or in our abilities can frustrate us to no end! Our instinct is to work harder and harder trying to reach our perception of perfection; to rid ourselves of all our “flaws”. But, the harder we try to reach perfection, the farther it is from our grasp and a cloud settles over us. We feel like failures – unsuccessful, un-beautiful, untalented and just not good enough.
But, do you know that is not true? We are made perfectly in our Father’s eyes. He loves us and considers us to be precious to Him. He loves everything about us, including the “imperfections” and little weeds in our lawns. Because He loves us, we are beautiful.
“You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.” Song of Solomon 4:7
Beautifully created by the Master Gardner’s hands, our uniqueness and our differences from one another add variety to His garden. What we may look upon as a flaw, He will use for His glory. When we look beyond ourselves and focus on Him, He will shape our inner beauty, which is so much more valuable than what the world sees. He changes what we think of as undesirable weeds into beautiful Dandelions dancing through life for Him.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14
As I sit here at my computer and think about what I consider to be weeds in me, I am smiling. I know that in my weakness and where I am lacking, God’s strength will show. When I focus on Him and not on myself, allowing His Hand to shape my character, His beauty will shine. We are so much more than just weeds. When we allow God to tend us, we are just like the little Dandelions on my lawn, bright lights, full of God’s beauty shining in His garden.
Personally, I like Dandelions, and you know what? God does, too.
Looking to Him,
Let me add a great big amen.