Take a look at this exquisite photo. It was taken by a guy in the UK named Wez Smith. I found it yesterday, and remembered again what an amazingly beautiful world is that we live in.
Know what it is?
I’ll tell you in a minute.
Don’t you love how even the seeming imperfections of each petal all come together to form a beautiful whole?
How even the “rough edges” all come together in a symphony of striking color?
How whatever that seed part in the middle is called (I’m no botanist) suggests the amazing reproducible wonder of future life? Future potential? Even more beauty?
Figured out what it is yet, Mr. Green Jeans?
It’s a dandelion.
To children all over the world, a thing of wonder.
To most of the rest of us, an ordinary, annoying weed.
Of course that weed that may be cluttering your lawn right about now has many amazing properties. It is loaded with Vitamins A and C, and has more iron and calcium than spinach. Its root is a registered drug in Canada, and is used primarily as a diuretic. Makes a pretty good salad, so I hear. And the Belgians grind and roast the root as a coffee substitute.
Ordinary? Hardly.
A few years ago I saw a little girl came running into a hospital lobby to present her mother with a precious gift. It was a dandelion. On this day, in the hands of this child, that half-blown weed was a treasure – one what spoke of love and wonder and excitement and tenderness. There was satisfaction in the little girl’s eyes. She had given. She had loved.
Her mother was no richer for having a fragile weed in her hands. But both mother and daughter were richer because the child had given cheerfully. Had she been more “mature,” or less child-like, she might have apologized for not being able to afford a rose. She might have decided that giving something so small was silly, or insignificant. But instead she gave, in simplicity, happy to have something.
Maybe that’s why Jesus told us to be like little children. They can still see the beauty in the weeds. The value of simple offerings of love. And the infinite imagination that springs out of being carried by the wind to who-knows-where.
Ordinary? Not on your life.
Neither are you.
(You can see more of Wez Smith’s stunning photography by clicking here.)
How about you? What “ordinary” people or things have brought value or beauty to your life?
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Andy, your blog reminds me again of God’s glory in His creation. Indeed, there are marvels all around us, if we’d only open our eyes to see them. (Actually, I thought it was some sort of sea creature . . .
What a great reminder to find God’s glory in all things…even a dandelion. thanks. And I also like your take on idle-atry. good stuff!
Amen, Andy. One of the simple things that continually amazes me is a this time of year at either sunrise or sunset, the the trees are beautifully silhouetted. I love that. It’s important to be able to enjoy and appreciate the simple things in life–to utter thanksgiving to God in response for his wonderful creation. Thanks be to God.
Straight to the heart of it, my Jesus-loving brother! I’m tempted to print this post & hang it in my home as a reminder.
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I didn’t realize that the dandelion had such good food stuffs. God doesn’t give us any junk!!