Just Dandy!
A day or a week or a life full of troubles and trials, like a grassy field full of dandelions, is a sign of replenishing by the hand of God!
In Russia this plant is known as “life-elixir” and its leaves are steamed and served with sour cream. Italians like the leaves chopped and, of course, sautéed with garlic in olive oil. The English boil its leaves and then toss them with vinegar and salt. Its name comes from the French, meaning “lion’s tooth,” so named for the pointy, tooth-like edges of its leaves and the golden color of its flowers. I’m talking about the dandelion.
In America we don’t eat them, but eradicate and eliminate them. Yet they still insist on popping up in our neatly manicured lawns, overtaking our vastly green parks, and appearing overnight throughout our baseball fields and golf courses. Stubborn little lions, aren’t they? Try to yank one out and you’ll find yourself on your back side holding a few pointy leaves in your hands while the deep-reaching root remains safely hidden in the ground – ready to strike back in a few days.
Maybe our European friends have something to teach us? Maybe they know that since ancient times the dandelion has been recognized for its medicinal qualities. Choline, one of the dandelion’s main constituents, is essential to healthy liver function. The dandelion also contains hydrochloric acid, which helps the digestive system, and generous amounts of vitamins C and A and calcium.
Not only that, but the dandelion is God’s way of replenishing nutrients in the soil. The plant actually prefers decalcified soil, and then sends its taproot deep into the ground where it pulls up minerals from below, restoring health to the topsoil. Wherever you see dandelions peering out over green turf and turning it gold, the earth is being rejuvenated!
If these creations of God are really so friendly to us and our earth, then why do we look on them as our enemies? It’s time to take a better look at dandelions and appreciate God’s handiwork through them.
The same is true of troubles and trials in the life of a Christian, isn’t it? God intends for these friendly helpers to tap their roots deep into our being where Christ dwells and bring out heavenly perseverance and wisdom and patience and strength, replenishing the worn out exterior of our human skin. God fills troubles and trials with nutrients that heal us and help our faith system to stay strong, active, and healthy. Yet we still try to eradicate and eliminate them.
A day or a week or a life full of troubles and trials, like a grassy field full of dandelions, is a sign of replenishing by the hand of God! “Blessed is the person who perseveres under trial!” the Bible encourages. “Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance” (James 1:2,3,12).
If you have a pestering problem that is deeply rooted and you can’t pull it out, spend less effort trying to eliminate it and more effort recognizing how it replenishes and develops you. If you can’t catch up to be as “on the ball” as you’d like because you’re constantly chasing pesky problems popping up all over the place, stop cursing them as enemies and start considering them to be allies sent by a loving God’s hand to keep you strong and alert.
That’s just dandy!
PRAYER: My understanding is so limited, heavenly Father, and my patience is so short when it comes to dealing with the dandy troubles you allow in my life. Let your golden little creations that welcome the new life of spring and summer into the world remind me of the new life of wisdom and strength that trials bring to me. Form my lips and my tongue to thank you for such trials and stop questioning your wisdom and doubting your love. Amen.