Weed or herb?
The dandelion.
Who doesn’t know it?
And what do you say—is it a weed or a useful herb?
For the Aufatmen (breathing out) retreats for women missionaries, I (E) created a wall hanging. It can accompany us to every retreat and whenever we have a table or booth to raise awareness about the ministry.
There is so much meaning woven into it that I wrote two accompanying reflections: one about breathing out, and one about weeds.
BREATHE OUT/ AUFATMEN
The old air we have inhaled is released to make room for fresh, oxygen-rich air. And that oxygen is needed to convert food into energy: energy to think and to act.
But what do we do when something is difficult or stressful? We hold our breath or breathe only shallowly. Yet those are exactly the moments when we need to breathe out deeply and make room for new energy.
It is the same with God. How often do we try to find our own solutions and handle difficult situations by ourselves? We hold on tightly and lose a great deal of energy. In those moments, we also need to breathe out deeply, surrender everything to God, and ask Him to help us find a way forward.
1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
Let go and let God.
Trust in Him.
Let things be as He wills.
Amen.
WEED OR HERB?
Today, we often see the dandelion as a stubborn weed. We look down on it and fail to realize how valuable it actually is. The plant is edible and rich in nutrients.
Perhaps you feel as though people look down on you, that you are not appreciated, and that others do not see all that you do.
Remember this:
You are valuable!
You are a source of nourishment that many people around you need.
And do you know what is so beautiful?
God works through you! He has placed that within you.
Whether you are still a bud, in full bloom, or already past your flowering season.
You are valuable, and your life has meaning for those around you.We all move through these different stages, often more than once. And when we have passed our season of bloom, we often view ourselves negatively. But that stage is necessary, because it allows your seeds to travel into the world, find new soil, and grow into bloom themselves.
And being past bloom is not the end. As long as the plant continues to receive nourishment from God’s Word, it remains strong and produces new flowers on the same plant.
You are not the flower;
you are the plant!
Rooted in God.
You bring beauty and healing while continually being nourished by God the Father.
Enjoy the different seasons you pass through in life.
Draw your nourishment from the firm ground of God.
And allow your seeds to be carried by the wind.
You have an impact on the world!
