Botany

Sometimes I pick dandelions. Sometimes, I leave them places for somebody to discover and be delighted by. Sometimes I give them away. Sometimes I keep them on the dash of my car....right next to my Dalek air freshener/navigation thing. Just recently, I've become increasingly committed to the  idea that dandelions are my favorite flower....this musement was the result of  somebody telling me that nobody cared if I picked them because they are weeds. Rather than pick a fight in my free time, I went off slightly indignant and significantly smug in my assurance that dandelions are indeed NOT weeds. Weeds are categorized as such because they are not wanted. Botanically speaking, a weed could be any plant at all, so long as SOMEBODY doesn't want them. I know, because the internet said so. Now I'm saying it on the internet, so it's extra true. Don't tell me that dandelions are weeds unless you have a genuine desire to cross blades with me. I won't believe you, and will quite likely make a significant fuss. At any rate, I have a point.

 I love dandelions because they're the underdog of the world of flora. I love them because they are one of the first signs of spring after long winter days, and one of the last vestiges of fall. For that I love their tenacity. I love that they thrive on little to no sustenance. They transform completely, they are prolific, and they're a  cheery yellow color. They don't need to be coddled, they don't have thorns, and they thrive in the face of direct opposition- all kinds of it. Herbicides, pre-emergent, lawn mowers, asparagus knives, and the unappreciative public in general. Why is it that rose bushes get so much attention? They have to be pruned, dusted, sprayed, irrigated, covered, and for all that, they still scratch people! Also they taste terrible. They smell nice and look pretty, though. Now don't get me wrong- if you've got somebody bringing you roses you officially have my envy. They're beautiful flowers and they have the fortunate family trait of being related to apples, so...that's good. Just so that it's been said, you should never, EVER eat florist roses, or roses that are chemically treated, or may have been chemically treated. So....organic's the way to go? Anyhow, just for the record, dandelions are actually consumable and are not uncommonly used for homeopathic whatnots....the chemical warning stands, though.

The history nerd in me is tempted to compare dandelions to Alexander the Great, and leave roses to signify Caligula, or Nero, or some overly oppulent, somewhat inept Roman ruler....like Commodus. For all that..I know that I personally am minded of a more significant comparison. As a Christian, I'm well aware that I tend to be a rose- concerned with appearances and wanting special treatment, but ultimately retaining (in  my mind) the right to scratch and prick at those who get too close. I want to be a dandelion. Content to be nothing, willing to be used for the benefit of others, prolific in the sharing of the love I've been given, and willing to be completely transformed for that purpose. That's all.

                                   "Be content to be nothing, for that is what you are."
                                                    -Oswald Chambers

                    "Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as true strength."
                                                           -DeSales

     Jesus loves with a love that can't be matched, mimicked, or bought. He's a matchless warrior and a tender caretaker. He can't be beaten, circumvented, or substituted. His righteousness is strong and powerful-His perfection is beyond description. He is glorious, beautiful, humble and good. I know I say things like this a lot, but I don't care if it seems redundant...I want for you to know the nature of His love, and the redemption of  His blood. I want for you to know that if you are not His that He is longing for you and loves you. He has paid your debt and defeated your captor. He stands waiting to claim your heart and change your life...He won't break down any doors or trick you into coming- you have to let Him in and you have to let Him forgive you. That's all.

He chose to be mine.

"My Beloved is mine, and I am His."
Song of Solomon 2:16

This past week has left me musing over the relationship that I have with God, the relationship that He wants with me, and the relationship that I hope I'm growing deeper into. This week God has made His love so tangible and close to me that I almost feel like I'm being wooed...called away into the arms of my God. Big things, small things...things that I sighed over that only He knew about...I think I have an inkling of what people feel like when they get the first "tickle" of romance with their beloved. I love having those precious moments to reflect over with Him, and I love how He's shown me that He's aware of my life. He shows me that I'm not pigeon-holed or set to the side, but that He has a desire to interact with me and to spend time with me. I see this in His word everywhere, and I love to see His hand working through my life. The thing that blows mind is that He; being who He is, and doing all that He does, has taken notice of me and that He wants more than to be a part of my life- He wants to share all of it with me. He is Powerful and Mighty- He's a Warrior and Righteous judge- but He chooses to take notice of us and to call us His own. He chose to make Himself  lowly so the He could redeem us- So that we could call Him our God and He could call us His children. I can't think of any love more noble or precious...and daily we walk right by the treasures He has for us. My hope is that I'll develop a keener eye for spotting those treasures, but also that I 'll stop to thank and praise Him for the things that He does every day. That I'll take heed of who He is and who it is that He's calling me to be- His own.

Genesis...in the "beginnings" sense of the word

I have this nasty habit of writing my thoughts and observations down on little scraps of paper, which I then shove into my pocket or purse. To be shamelessly honest with you these unfortunate scraps are more likely to be found in the lint catcher of my dryer or crammed in the cupholder of my car than copied dutifully into a journal or safe place of some sort. My great hope for this blog is that it will alleviate the "paper scrap" problem. I'm not convinced that I won't still be fishing denim stained papers out of pockets as clothes head into the wash, but it's a hope....a hope against hope. Anyhow....here goes. Blogging.
I recently moved into a new house. It's a new place to shape and fill with things that I hope will make it into a welcoming, sanctuary-ish sort of place. I'm hoping that the first impression this new place will give visitors is that it's a place where God is honored- that He is the head of my household. My hope for this blog is the same- a place in cyber-land where my random thoughts and inklings find  shelter from the washing machine, but most importantly that it will be a place of praise and thanksgiving- observations of my Master's handiwork and admiration of His doings. Thus ends my introduction of my thoughts to the cozy, intimate atmosphere of the internet. See you....sometime.