dandelions

It has been a busy couple of weeks- sorry for the lack of updates. Family vacation to Yellowstone with my half of the family. I love road trips. This country has some stunning scenery. God is an amazing landscaper. All the wild flowers were blooming in the park.They reminded me of the following thoughts written years ago by one of the women in my Wednesday AM bible study group and I decided to share them with you.
DANDELIONS
Somehow, the past week dandelions have been on my mind,yes those little yellow things that keep popping up all over God's creation. When some of my friends and I took a drive last week we remarked about the dogwood and other flowering shrub and bulbs, but deep inside of me a little voice said "but Oh the dandelions".Then on Easter Sunday churches came alive with the graceful Easter Lily,fragrant Hyacinth, the lovely cheerful daffodil,but not one dandelion in any sanctuary. I'm sure of that!!!
On Easter day driving to Mt. Rainier I was able to see acre upon acre covered with dandelions, quite a beautiful sight,and I thought-Lord this impression you're putting on me about dandelions must have some meaning. Now I think that everything God has created has a message for us in some way. That's how He does things. So I just asked Him-"God what are you telling me?" And my voice kept saying aloud Lord let me be a dandelion in your garden. Imagine that, one of those yellow things, they frustrate people. It would be nice to be a rose like Bernice or Pauline our bible study leaders, with their essence of sweet perfume everywhere they go. You don't forget them as you come in contact with their bouquet each week. We all take home their buds and they bloom with us long past Wednesdays. And surely I could never be a mum like Susan as she bubbles forth with her songs leading all of us like a cheerleader as she gets us all in sync rooting for the Lord- we just know that Bobbie Wright has the smiling face of a pansy, bringing cheer to everyone and making you want to smile back. There are so many flowers in God's garden- that's where Christians grow- so with all the flowers out there didI hear you right God when you say "Jo be a dandelion!"
I thought to myself, that's a weed. People dig them up- or at least they try- they even spray weed killer on them. They don't want them around- but God, you remind me that no matter how hard the world tries, dandelions keep comming back again and again and again.And then you said "Jo you've got to be like that, never give up on your faith, establish yourself, get rooted in that ground no matter what and try again tomorrow. Put on your best "yellow" dress and shine forrth. Tell the World, I'm here again. I'll keep on blooming no matter what you do."
That's what dandelions are about. They are a bright spot in the morning with color so intense and such a will to survive (and survive they do), then after the day is done a miracle happens, it's in those wonderful downey tufts that float away on the wings of the breeze to plant seeds again somewhere else. It's like God's word, it never goes void. He plants you where you are and whatever you say and whatever you do reaches out to someone else somewhere else. So, if that's what God wants fro me, let me be a dandelion. Let me be firm and strong, tried and true and Lord let me brust forth each day with life anew. Lord let me spread those seeds for you. But then I think- dandelions? and He said "In my garden the supply is endless, (you all know that's the truth). And then the thought came to me- when little children pick their first bouquet it's dandelions and Mother's treasure them. So he treasures me. So maybe it's not too bad if God wants me to be a dandelion. He plants me.Takes care of me. So when you see a field of dandelions, a lawn completely dressed in yellow or one lonely flower, just think how nice it would be if more Christians were just like those dandelions, hardy and strong.Determined. No matter what the world does we'd still be there growing each day, sending our seeds on the way. Establishing his garden. So maybe that's what the really wants me to know, that dandelions are special to Him as are all the flowers in His garden
Jo Syda

I don't know where Jo is these days but I think of her often as my husband is constantly fighting a losing battle with the dandelions in our lawn.The grass turns brown by July and all that is green is those yellow "pests". Their roots go deep and a little drought doesn't phase them. May we all be as dandelions.