PERSPECTIVE ON A DANDELION

Have you ever gotten down to the level of a dandelion? The closest I get to these plants is with my dandelion picker because I am intent on digging them from my otherwise luscious green lawn. I pass judgment on each bright yellow flower as a weed that must go!

Recently, I was given a fresh perspective on this yellow flower. Someone had gotten way down to the level of a dandelion to take a video of it waving in the gentle breeze. It sat there ever so pretty in this section of lush green grass. The video was used as a backdrop at church to display the words of a worship song. I no longer remember the song we sang, but I have not been able to forget that video of the dandelion.

I kept thinking about that yellow flower as a weed growing in someone’s yard. How like the weed of sin that exists in my life producing more seeds to sprout unless they are killed. Those yellow flowers are bright and cheery and attractive to the innocent child. How many mothers have received a bouquet of these bright yellow flowers picked by a child and given with all the love of the heart to Mom? It reminds me of sin that is so attractive, I want to keep it like a bouquet to enjoy, i.e. nursing a grudge against someone who hurt me deeply and plotting a way to hurt him or her. 

Again, I recall my childhood delight to take those white dandelion puff balls to see how far I could spread those seeds with one puff of my breath. Sin unchecked in my life or yours can “drift” to negatively touch the lives of those close to us in our homes, our communities, our work environments.

As I was taking photos of dandelions to post with this essay, I had to stoop down to the level of the ground where these plants were growing. I was reminded how God sent Jesus Christ down to our level to be born as a baby and grow to adulthood. He experienced joy and sorrow, loving parents and friends, acceptance and rejection, pain and death. Jesus showed us how to live with grace and dignity depending on God’s love and power through prayer.

Jesus Christ died to help us eliminate sin in our lives. Since Jesus has risen from the dead, the Holy Spirit will live with anyone who invites Jesus into his or her life. Through the Holy Spirit, God will do his work of transformation ever so slowly eradicating those seeds of sin.

In this process, God is preparing us for that day when he will establish a new heaven and a new earth that will be perfect in every way – no weeds of sin. I cannot imagine what that will be like. It will be such a radical transformation to see that cheery yellow dandelion as a perfect thing of beauty and no longer a weed.

For Reflection:

Can you recognize the "dandelion/s" in your life?

Have you discovered a successful elimination for this weed in your lawn? What can that teach you about eliminating the sin weed in your life?

Where in nature have you seen examples of transformation?

The FUD Factor

In 2009 I attended the first retreat sponsored by PPG Ministries. The theme for the weekend was based on a sales principle: The FUD Factor - Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt. We all were grappling with uncertainty for the future with recession, unemployment, and economic cutbacks.

Rita opened this first retreat by asking us if anyone enjoyed a roller coaster. I enjoy a
roller coaster ride; the thrill, the adrenaline rush, even the anticipation of the huge dip.
My ultimate ride was in total darkness at Space Mountain in Disney World; I did not
know when the next twist or dip was coming and I screamed my head off until there was
no longer any sound coming out. What fun! When the ride was over and my armload of
packages made it through with me, I was ready to get back in line once again.

The Holy Spirit kept that image in my mind as I grappled with the theme of Fear,
Uncertainty, and Doubt. Life is like a roller coaster ride in the dark, but I don’t always
“let go” and release my grip to enjoy the ride with God by my side. If I could just learn
how to do that, I believe that my life would have more of faith’s joy and much less of the
fear connected with doubt. Of course, the theme park ride is much briefer and we know
the end will come rather quickly. The daily reality of life is such that we cannot see the
end and we get weary of the uncertainty.

The antidote for fear is faith in the God of Abundant Life who died to give us Joy for the
Journey. The antidote for uncertainty is to the trust the certainty of our God who is the
same today as he was yesterday and will be tomorrow. The antidote for doubt is to
confess our unbelief and ask God to help us hold our arms up in faith trusting His
strength to enable us to soar with the eagles over the rolling, dipping storms in our life.

Come with me, my friend, to ride God’s roller coaster. Let’s ride with our hands lifted
high anticipating the thrill of what God has in store for us – the Abundant Life.

Can't you feel the smile forming on your face? I'm smiling!

REFLECTION:

Do you think your feelings about a theme park roller coaster is similar to what you feel when life presents you a roller coaster?

How do you connect with the God of joy along your up and down, twist and turn journey?

Click to the Facebook page for PPG Ministries to learn more about this ministry.

Starting Over

“What if the world started over again?”

“For starters, this is impossible. You can’t just start over when you are in the middle of something, especially as HUGE as the world.”

I said, “Why not!”

With the mess this world is in, it would have to start with some kind of explosion or something big enough to wipe out everything but the raw materials to start again. But, this time the most beautiful things would begin to grow without all the hard work of having to eliminate the weeds. There would be no anger and hatred amongst the animals.

Everything would be perfect: perfect balance of moisture for plants and animals, perfect balance of nutrients to promote health, perfect atmosphere neither too hot nor too cold, perfect environment with just the right mix of work and play to keep things interesting.

This is the basis of research. If something isn’t developing as planned, you simply start over. Go back to the raw materials and try a different mix. Start with the chicken first instead of the egg first.

Let’s create man first and let him create the other plants and animals. Not sure it will work, well nothing ventured, nothing gained.

And so it is with trying to write that perfect short story. You have to start some place. You have to let go of the impossible in order to create the possible. 

REFLECTION:

Have you ever started over? I think many of us have considered it either major or minor.

What kind of impossibilities did you encounter to the idea of starting over?

What was your reality after the dust settled and your world came into focus once again?

 

Ancient Story Restores Hope

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be.”   Romans 4:18 (NIV)

As I reviewed the story of Abraham, my sagging hope (at ever finding a job) has been renewed. I saw how God's plan was fulfilled to His glory despite Abraham's problem with fear or the impossibility of old worn out bodies conceiving a child.

I found much hope when I read that Abraham gave into fear twice as he stands behind Sarah claiming her as his sister and not his wife. The first time Abraham and his crowd were given a military escort out of Egypt (Genesis 12:20 NLT). Lesson learned, right? I guess enough time had passed that Abraham once again gave into this same fear this time with Abimelech, king of Gerar (Geneses 20). However, God turned this situation around for good and His glory. God kept Abimelech from ever touching Sarah and Abimelech listened and obeyed God's warnings to give Sarah back to Abraham. The interesting part of this story is that God told Abimelech to ask prophet Abraham to pray for healing from his household's curse of infertility. That amazes me how God still used Abraham even though he gave into fear a second time. It gives me hope that although I may not do everything perfectly, God is still working out a plan for my life that will ultimately bring Him the glory because I have been declared righteous through my faith in Christ just as Abraham.

Faith in God does require action on our part. To this end Sarah thought she needed to exercise the custom of the day by giving her servant Hagar to Abraham to conceive the child of promise. Conception happened but with it came lots of heartache for Sarah, Hagar and Abraham and it was not the child God had promised. God did not snatch his promise back although it meant a fourteen-year wait. When an angel tells Sarah that she will bear a child within the year, Sarah laughs at the idea of a baby in her old age with Abraham ten years older as well. The angel responded, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Genesis 18:14). Another example that brings hope as it highlights God's faithfulness despite any faithless circumstance I might create because I just can't exercise enough patience to wait for God's perfect plan.

My hope was revived yet again as I reflected on the impossibility of two old people with bodies well past their prime of life conceiving a child and living to see him well into adulthood. Like the Bible verse says, Abraham believed in the hope of God’s power and authority, against any hope he might find in his situation or circumstances. God is the God of the impossible. Just as God extended life to this old couple, I have hope that He will extend life to me in the form of a job where I can serve to the glory of God.

CHALLENGE

Read Abraham’s story and let God’s Word bring you hope for your situation. The story is recorded in Genesis chapters 11-25.

Name your impossible situation and WAIT to see what God will do on your behalf.  


“Is anything too hard for the Lord?” … Genesis 18:14.

God’s Garden

Lake Superior - North Shore of Minnesota

The water is clear

I see submerged rocks

God sees my buried rocks

Disappointments

Lost dreams

Almost forgotten hurts

Healing waits.

 

The farmer plows his field

rocks piled to the side

washed by rain

placed in a garden.

Living uncovers my rocks

as God gardens my soul

prepping the soil for his seeds

Patience

Kindness

Goodness

Faithfulness

Gentleness

Self-control

Joy

Love

Peace

Grace.

The gardener waits

the warm sun

the gentle rain

transformation.

It takes time

waiting

and watching.

The seedling pushes out

fragile, fresh

looking for the sun

who called it forth

from its tomb
in the darkness.

It toils now

in warm sun

and gentle rain

delighting the gardener.

Still more waiting

the sun scorches

rain diminishes

storms threaten and crash!

Temperance River Gorge Falls

Ah, peaceful calm after the storm,

the Son lifts the clouds.

Sunshine paints the rainbow

shimmering in the dampness.

All is clean and fresh

New stones have emerged

Where will they fit?

Cornerstone

Capstone

Wall

Bridge

Stepping stone

The path beckons
for a new
holy adventure
to – God’s garden.

by Donna Elftmann

March 2012

Imagine you are looking down on your life’s garden. What evidence do you see of God’s landscaping efforts? Look for a variety of growth; some might be fragile while others are strong and vigorous. Let God’s smile of encouragement color your garden with a sense of calm and peace.

Are storms obscuring your view right now? WAIT for the rainbow and a fresh, clean view.

EXTRAVAGANT

Have you ever been surprised and delighted by God? I recently experienced such a delight that my friend exclaimed, "Extravagant!" I reveled in the beauty and the fragrance that day. Since then, I have continued to be delighted by God through the various photos I took that day at Como Conservatory.

Extravagant! My friend's exclamation captured the experience for me. I did not want to leave; I took the time to linger in the delights before me.

Think about this for a moment. This picture captures so few flowers compared to the vast extravagance of God's intricate creation of love. He designed each one of these flowers and gave them the DNA to reproduce and to burst forth with such delightful blooms and vivid colors. Can't you smell the delightful fragrance tickling your nose. That's the extravagant delight of God's love.

God created this for my delight. He is very extravagant and He delights to see me pause with wonder and delight at His creation. Who but God could design a flower as lovely as this Amaryllis?

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Plan a visit to a local garden or conservatory. Take your camera to capture the sights of your day, and invite a friend to share the beauty together. Journal about your experience.

The Old Oak Tree Inspires Hope

Psalm 92:14 (NLT) “Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.”

I have been living alongside this huge oak tree now since 1983. I have prayed over it, not wanting to lose it. I have lost parts of it through storms over the years. Even this year I see many dead branches seeming to mar its glory while providing me a HUGE symbol of hope. Only God knows how many decades this tree has lived. But, year after year it keeps sending out new green leaves and growing new fruit of acorns despite the dead branches. In defiance of the aging process, it keeps on growing. The old oak tree keeps on delighting me year after year as the fresh tiny new oak leaves emerge from the bud and start to grow – it happens slowly enough to notice and yet the tree is seemingly transformed overnight. Year after year it becomes the home where mother raccoon raises her brood of kittens in its hollow cavity – we get a glimpse of momma on a hot, humid day when she chooses to rest on the limb instead of hiding in the hollow. Later in summer, if we are watching, we get to see how many little ones she sends off at dusk.

The old oak tree gives me hope that I can remain vital and continue to grow. As God continues to transform the old oak tree each year into a fresh “new” older version, so He will continue to transform me into this new creation through Christ. Despite the evidences of aging trying to mar God’s glorious creation, there is still much that is vital and “green” about the older me. I want to keep on growing and learning throughout the years God will give me. I want to be a person that provides a sense of stability and comfort as I continue to find my strength for the day’s tasks by resting and trusting in the promises of God.

As the years march on, I keep realizing more and more “dead branches” of my own. My body keeps on breaking down causing me much discomfort. The wrinkles and age spots mar the once beautiful younger me. So many medications give me undesirable side effects leaving me angry at the losses I’m realizing. How can I use the energy of this anger I feel to spur me on to cooperate with God’s transformation of the “new” older me? Perhaps I found my inspiration as the psalmist reminded me to consider the yearly spring season with my old oak tree.

For Further Reflection:

What symbols inspire hope in you?

What “dead branches” of loss give you pain and discomfort?

In what ways are you providing shelter or comfort to a younger person?