Weeds and Flowers

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.

A tulip stretching in the morning sun, trying desperately to be beautiful, noticed a weird greenling poking out of the meadow. Days later the green sprout spoke, “Hey, you’re pretty. What’s your name?”

 “Tulip, what are…err, what’s your name?”

 “Dandelion, but you can call me D. Love the name but time’s too short. What do you do…besides look really lovely?”

 “I’m told by the lady of the house that I will be in a wedding bouquet, along with that snooty pink rose over there, who thinks she will be the center of attraction. So what’s your purpose?”

 “It’s strange. If allowed, I will have a small flower on a weak stem for beauty—not as pretty as you—and then a white ball of seeds which will spread with the wind and hopefully keep the family going. But I think I have another purpose, one which I don’t understand—maybe later.”

 Days later, D has bloomed. “Yo, Tulip, I’m pretty, but not as gorgeous as you. Hope I make it to the end.”

 “What do you mean, the end?”

 “Well, too often we are eliminated and thrown away. If allowed to grow, we may be harvested for a…shall I say, secret or, at least, not well known purpose. It can be beneficial to the lady. Do you have a purpose, I mean in addition to being a vital source of beauty in the world?”

 “As I mentioned before, I will be prominent in a wedding bouquet. I can’t think of a higher honor. Until then, I spread joy to the lady and anyone with eyes to see.”

 Some days later—“Tulip, Tulip, my time has come. The lady has her harvesting spade and my leaves will be used—it’s all becoming clear—for something called a salad; whatever that is!! Hope your purpose comes true. Oh, by the way, you look especially lovely tooodayyyy…”

 Weed or flower, we each have our individual purpose in life. We have been given different gifts and there are many different ways to use them to express God’s intention or plan for our life. Time is irrelevant—it’s attitude and desire to do God’s will that is important. Neither D nor Tulip mentioned prayer, but we know the method for learning the path. Ask and ye shall receive.

 Are you having trouble determining whether you are weed or flower?

 Eeyore advises Pooh, “Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them.”