The Dandelion:

The common dandelion has an interesting flower meaning: it represents healing from challenges and coming out victorious on the other side. Here in close-up, it contains hidden beauty.

"But in all these things we have full victory through God who showed His love for us (ICB)." Romans 8:37

Often in times of challenge or pain, we have a difficult time seeing the purpose or God's infinite plan. Yet when we get a "close-up", by being in His presence, waiting to hear Him speak, and discern His perfect will, the fine details of our circumstances are examined through a new lens. We view every segment in a new way. We see that each part of our lives, and our circumstances, are interwoven and fitted together like a puzzle. Each is joined to the next, forming a perfect circle. The circle of life is a thing of beauty when we receive God's love into our own hearts, and then touch others with His goodness, and share the ways that He helps us grow.   

The Dandelion Puff

Sometimes our lives and circumstances are determined by our perspective. Take the common dandelion puff …

In the puff of the Dandelion,

Do you simply see a weed?

Yet if you change your perspective,

It’s really a feather-like seed!

The flower has already bloomed,

And become—but a wisp.

Now the current of the wind, the breeze,

Will carry it onward and upward, like mist.

It will soar, dance, and plummet,

To be planted and to grow …

Until another dandelion,

From this seed is sown.

I find these things that touch us,

Can be like roots in our mind;

If we give them to Jesus, 

Here’s what we just might find …

Even situations that feel like dandelions,

Maybe God digging in-the-dirt,

To bring something to life, within us,

To free us, release us, from pain or being hurt.

2 Dandelions at various stages of their life

I loved the image that as the dandelion puff blows in the wind—it is actually a seed—that will be planted, to produce a new “flower”. If we can look at the things that God allows in our lives in this way, I think it helps us grow and gives us a better perspective on how He works. We can see His digging, as planting, or removing those things (or people) that do not belong in and around us. 

Changing our perspective can be difficult. It can be tough to switch our focus from the weed to the seed. But if we can, and do, I think we will see the Lord’s hand at work in new ways. We will see the Master Gardener, creating a harvest that yields the fruit of His Spirit. And when we learn to cooperate with His process, we may be used in miraculous ways. 

To me, the simple dandelion puff is like a tiny miracle. It has a certain beauty and complexity in its design. Then it is dispersed, to float through the air, to be planted, and create a flower. And while we may try to get rid of these weeds, they are colorful and intricate. Perhaps today, it has shown you that God has a purpose for every flower, weed, and seed that He is planting in you!

A Short Bible Study: 

Philippians 1:6, Ephesians 6:7-8, 9-13, Galatians 6:9, Hebrews 10:23, Isaiah 41:10, 

and 1 Corinthians 16:13

Dear Lord, as You change my circumstances, help me to yield to this season of weeding and seed planting. I surrender all of me for Your purposes. I trust that Your Will and ways will produce the fruit and the harvest that are pleasing in Your sight. I am resting at Your feet, soaking in Your presence, giving You praise that soars to the highest heaven. And I am assured that if you can use a dandelion puff, you can use each soul that loves you. You will use each heart that longs to give You honor. May our perspective always be to see You in every circumstance and to look for Your miracles. They truly are right before our eyes! Amen. 

The other thing about the dandelion, they are tenacious! They are difficult to remove. That's how we should be in our stand for Christ!

by: deborah goshorn-stenger 2 Pause and Praise Creations ©