In the distance, the hill glows gold with tiny sunbursts. I smile big, quite sure that the happy face was inspired by the dandelion…not Forest Gump. And yet, this felicitous flower brings great unhappiness to most people. My neighbors are constantly at war with them. They spray, dig and curse them. They give me the evil eye for not paying a man to spray toxic chemicals to choke out their existence altogether.
It’s true; they are far less attractive in the seed stage, the stem limp and gray-green with white wispy feathers waiting to waft on the wind. In it’s most empty moment, when all that is left is a translucent stem, a seed is sent on an errand. It may be transported in the calm of a warm summer breeze, or it may have been reluctantly flung from the grasp of its pin cushion in a violent storm, but the seed leaves it’s comfort zone nonetheless.
I’ve experienced times when I have felt limp and gray-green, useless to anyone. I’ve felt unwanted and empty, as though I’m losing more of myself with every core shaking wind of change. But then comes His breath on a breeze…and it picks up the remnant of me like a dandelion clock, ready to make a colorless fluff into a plush splash of light, a replica of the Son, thorns and all. And I see that all along…the answer was blowin’ in the wind. Even though I feel worn out, and frail; used up and dead; He can still take a tiny part of me, carrying it on a whisper, and plant it, spreading splashes of sunshine. Not everyone will enjoy the spillover. They might try to dig it up, because it is different. But there are those, who will enjoy it for what it is…and smile.
I Corinthians 15:36 – What a foolish question! When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn’t grow into a plant unless it dies first.
Sharing with goosebumps with Jen: 
And dear Emily: 
and darling Ann: 
journeytoepiphany.wordpress.com 
This is just lovely…I like dandelions…and I have always wondered…who got to pick what are considered weeds and what are wild flowers…somethings called weeds are pretty to me…maybe God made dandelions just so we can have fun blowing and watching them fly…I guess beauty is in the eyes of the beholder…that is why we need to “beholded” by Him…blessings~
Yeah! I’ve always wondered that too! Maybe I should really freak out my neighbors and transplant all of the dandelions into a flower bed!
I love the hopeful sunny faces of dandelions. I remember making wishes and blowing my wishes out with the seeds of hope. Seeing how much effort is given to eliminating dandelions, they really should be a symbol of hope and perseverance.
True…they do persevere…and so does hope. 🙂
Quite a title! Love it! Excellent job! BLESSINGS!
Yeah, my parent’s hippie days leak through now and then.
“. . He takes a tiny part of me and carries it on a whisper. . ”
Just beautiful kd. I am taking this with me today. 🙂
I am glad that my words are going with you. What a gift!
That’s funny … I think they are most beautiful in the seed stage … that’s where they have the most hope.
Blessings,
Felecia
They do carry hope, don’t they?
smiles…dandelions are some of my fav flowers, honestly…maybe even because of the seed that blows in the wind…and takes over my yard…each little one carrying so much potential in it…just like us…smiles.
yes, just like us…
“But then comes His breath on a breeze…and it picks up the remnant of me like a dandelion clock, ready to make a colorless fluff into a plush splash of light, a replica of the Son, thorns and all. And I see that all along…the answer was blowin’ in the wind. Even though I feel worn out, and frail; used up and dead; He can still take a tiny part of me, carrying it on a whisper, and plant it, spreading splashes of sunshine.”
Kimberly, i cried reading this–a good cry. how thankful i am you write so honestly. those words are *exactly* what i needed to hear today. i have felt lately that his grace is dead within–you know those dry times we go through when we cant seem to make ourselves act right and everything collides and it doesnt seem He is near. you have inspired me to go and put in some soft worship music and just visit with Him. i want to feel His breath coming on the wind. blessings.
ps love dandelions–have pictures of my girls blowing them in the sun…just doesnt get any better….
I am so honored that the Lord would use my words to touch your heart, dear one…
Oh, we are kindred.
yes, there’s always something God can use in us, isn’t there. Even if others see me as a pesky li’l weed…God sees the bloom of grace. the saturated color of the Son… 😉
Hugs to you, friend. just loved this…
I know that I’ve been a pesky weed more than once! 😉
I keep telling my kids dandelions are the best toys made by God. So many things you can do with them. Great bit of reading for a Wed afternoon. Thanks kd.
-Bob
good advice, and they’re free too!
Love the way you told this Kim, especially this: He can still take a tiny part of me, carrying it on a whisper, and plant it, spreading splashes of sunshine. Not everyone will enjoy the spillover. They might try to dig it up, because it is different. But there are those, who will enjoy it for what it is…and smile. Your words will make me think of dandelions differently now.
I don’t think that there is a greater compliment to a devotional writer than to say that you will think differently based on words they’ve written. Thank you for this gift…
As one who loathes the dandelions, I appreciate the truth and analogy of your words… It reminds me of that scripture, He makes all things beautiful in His time…. yes…. thank you….
I haven’t thought of that scripture in a long time, Krissie! Thanks for reminding me of it!
The happy face inspired by the dandelion. I think you are right. They always look so bright and cheery as they cover my backyard. I never bother to get rid of them because they don’t seem to do anything but look bright and happy. Great post.
When I lived on a hobby farm, I didn’t bother with them…now that I’m in the suburbs, the standard meaning of “good neighbor” seems to be one who rids their lawn of dandelions…I will have to adjust.
carry it on in a whisper – – i’m there with you friend. lovely.
Good, I could use a travel companion, as I don’t enjoy flying!
I LOVE that verse. It shall be my mantra on days when it rains and I can’t send the boys outside to play and they announce that they’re sorry they colored on my bottom, and I turn around to see that I have marker on my pants and I DIDN’T EVEN NOTICE IT! I think motherhood is a slow death because I just don’t want to give up my pride and dignity and my selfishness…and yet when I do, it’s beautiful.
Really beautiful. I feel so encouraged by your words this week.
I am glad that this encouraged you in the midst of a dying parental moment. Marker on your bottom, huh? That’s funny!
my sister whispered a promise to me over the head of a tall wilted dandelion a few years ago, so this post meant a lot to me. thank you so much sweet kd. xo
You are welcome! I remember the post that your sister’s promise inspired…
Oh yes…this spoke such encouragement to my soul!
I am so glad that you left here encouraged!
Beautiful.
🙂
Funny how dandelions bring out the kid in some of us. 🙂
Yes, they do! Especially if I risk the wrath of my neighbors and blow on one!
This is lovely!
Thanks Mama Zen!
I love this:
“But then comes His breath on a breeze…and it picks up the remnant of me like a dandelion clock, ready to make a colorless fluff into a plush splash of light, a replica of the Son, thorns and all”
A stunning image and a lovely post Kimberly!
Love this! Something many dislike can carry something so chosen and beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
To each his own, I guess! I love to find beauty in castaways!
I love dandelions, especially the amazing geometric form of the seed heads. As a former garden editor, I once wrote an ode to weeds. My mother, an unheralded environmentalist long before Lady Bird Johnson became known for her wildflower-planting efforts, said a weed is a plant that nobody wants. By that definition, if somebody wants it, it isn’t a weed. Another definition is “a plant out of place.” At any rate, they all have their place in the overall scheme of things.
I love this! Like I said, maybe I should transplant my dandelions!
I love dandelions, they aways seem to grow and thrive n the most unlikely places. They are so tenacious! And such a lovely shape, an almost perfect sphere. I can’t resist blowing on one if I see it. And one tiny seed is all it takes…
I must be a dandelion…because I grown in unlikely places too…both in the natural and the spiritual.
Beautiful and so full of truth. Dying to gain new growth – I needed the reminder of that TRUTH today. Blessings!
http://www.positivelyalene.com/
YES! In the words of Keith Green, “I want to die, so I might live…”
If we didn’t have dandelions, I don’t know how I’d get the beautiful blessing of handpicked bouquets from my girls. 🙂 … Thank you for this precious, Truth-filled post. You’re a gem.
What a lovely truth. I would much rather wrestle with them then go without them!
Beautiful. Your analogy is great. I love the line ” . . . he can still take a tiny part of me and carry it on the wind . . .” We were both musing on the dandelion.
I guess its dandelion musing time… :0 They are being written about almost as fast as they spread in my lawn…
This is lovely. Even though dandelions are the bane of our landscaping (ha!) I can’t resist picking them to give to the kids to blow the seeds on the wind. Don’t tell my husband.
Your secret is safe with me, friend…blow away!
Hi Kim! So lovely. So true. The stories that dandelions tell . . . I’ve written about them before many times. Just last week in fact! It is good to visit you. Thank you for leading the SDG group, visiting my blog and starting the fb group page. I look foward to sharing with you and the group.
I am exciting about our budding friendship as well, Jodene!
Great post. Love the picture of the dandelion. I Corinthians 15:36 is a great verse.
Reblogged this on Journey Towards Epiphany.