Common Weeds

I received my first dandelion bouquet of the season. 

The joy in their voices and the sparkles in their eyes when they brought these flowers to me made my heart melt.

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Common weeds.

But then perspective.

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Children see them as beautiful.

Common weeds.

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I once heard that a woman from France who was visiting North America, thought the lawns covered in “colour” were absolutely gorgeous!

Common weeds.

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Food for pollinators that in turn, then provide us with more food.

Common weeds.

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For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. 

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall make a name for the Lord, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”

Isaiah 55:8-13

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These little yellow flowers that are always deemed a burden, cursed because of the effects of the fall, are groaning right along with all of creation. They too are anticipating the day when instead of thorns and briars, cypress and myrtle will spring forth. Restored back to perfection.

No longer common weeds.

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Perhaps we are too quick to label so much of God’s creation as a curse. And if we are truly honest with ourselves, I am sure that there are many other things, perhaps even certain people we see and view as Common Weeds.

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We need to come down to the level of creation, off our self-righteous horses and acknowledge that everything is anticipating that long awaited day of once again obtaining freedom. Everything is currently subject to the curse of the disobedience that happened those thousands of years ago. The disobedience that caused enmity between us and God. 

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And then in His mercy He made a way outside of the Law for us to come to, and lay down our lives before. A way which asks us to give up our old selves, acknowledging our wretchedness, our sinfulness, our judgements and complaints and to accept the gift of salvation through the blood of Christ. Exchanging the ways of the world, the ways of darkness, for one which offers new life and light.

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A way which provides us with the Holy Spirit who then causes us to pause and to think before we deem the things which God has made as Common Weeds. 

The Spirit who shifts our perspective to see all of His creation as good, made by Him, and each person as an Image Bearer of God himself. The Spirit who allows us to recognize that all trials, tribulations, frustrations, hurts, griefs, and sorrows have been planned and purposed not to crush us, but to build us up. So that we would glorify God through them. All things in this life God gives us is ultimately for our good and His glory. The accident you had, the broken relationship you face, the job you just lost, the death of a loved one you weren’t ready to say goodbye to, the broken arm, the skinned knees, the puddles on the floor of the toddler who is potty training. Yes all these things, even the Common Weeds, have been given for us as tests to show our response and our faithfulness to trust the one who allows them to happen. 

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Effects of the fall.

Common Weeds.

But then perspective.

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His arms are open.

He is waiting.

“And I tell you, ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be open to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and the one who knocks it will be opened.

What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Luke 11:9-13

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Dandelions.

Common Weeds.

Beautiful bouquet.

A good gift for Mothers Day.