Unlikely Beauty

I didn't plan to have sunflowers blooming this summer - even though I love their beauty! I didn't plant any seed, yet I have several beautiful blooms adding their sunshine to the backyard.

The birds planted them . . . in a pot of chrysanthemums - which happened to be very near one of the bird feeders containing a variety of seeds. I noticed some very spindly little plants in the pot earlier but wasn't even sure what they were. For some reason I didn't pull them up. There were three or four of them, and they looked unhealthy - pale, thin stems and few leaves - with no potential for producing flowers that I could see.

About two weeks ago, however, as I watered the mystery plants, I noticed the formation of flower buds and recognized them as sunflowers. I still had no idea that those frail stems could burst into the brilliant, cheerful blooms you see above.

No, they aren't the largest or most showy sunflowers I've ever seen, but shine they do - especially when the sun directly hits them. As you can see, I've given them a prop and attached them to it. Their bold, golden-yellow color definitely brightens their corner of the yard!

If you've read my blog very long, you'll know that I believe that nature is a great teacher. Jesus Himself often used both inanimate and living creations to illustrate truths in a simple, easy-to-understand way. He spoke of sand, rocks, sheep, goats. lilies, sparrows, grass, wheat . . .

Maybe I'm just simple-minded, but I "get" those stories. And I "get" the following simple truths that I see in this homespun anecdote. I just need to be reminded of them now and then!

First impressions aren't always accurate.

Humble beginnings don't spell failure.

Outward appearances can be misleading; the ability to produce
beauty comes from within.

Sometimes God plants us in not-so-desirable places, but with His help
we can bloom wherever we're planted.

In the process, however, we often need to be "propped up." He can handle that and offers His Spirit, His Word, family, a compassionate friend, an inspiring song, a sermon . . . Himself.

He is the Vine; we are the branches. As long as we are abiding in Him,
we will brighten our world as we reflect the Son's light.

Our often-dark world needs a plentiful crop of "Son-flowers"! Reminds me of this old song we used to sing when I was growing up:

Here for all your talent you may surely find a need,
Here reflect the bright and Morning Star;
Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed,
Brighten the corner where you are.

~Ina D. Ogdon - 1913~