Dandelions - Rise Above the Circumstances
by Katherine Kehler
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“I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead”
Ephesians 1:19
This is dandelion season. Whole fields are covered with bright yellow flowers. They are so cheerful and brighten the landscape. But they are not appreciated by most people because they are weeds - weeds that multiply profusely through their root system and their seeds which fly through the air. Children love to blow the “puffy balls” but each one is filled with many seeds. If not destroyed, dandelions can take over a lawn or field.
Not only are they cheerful, dandelions are tenacious and powerful. I have noticed the heads of dandelions push through our paved driveway. They also grow above the grass that surrounds them.
My friend Lena is like that. She has had Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for over 30 years. Early on she decided she would determine her attitude each day. She would be a thermostat and she would set the thermostat to “cheerful” and “thankful” each day. Throughout all the years, every time I am with her she is cheerful and thankful.
There are three lessons I have learned from dandelions:
• Be bright and cheerful all day long.
• Be tenacious. Live above the circumstances.
• Multiply - reach people for Christ and teach others to reach and teach.
God offers us His supernatural power to enable us to live supernaturally. You can appropriate His power today.
Father, I realize that so often I live a mediocre life. I offer You my life today - fill and empower me with Your Spirit. Change me into a person who lives above the circumstances and fills the air with cheerfulness and gratitude. Amen.
You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2008/08/23/kk_dandelions/
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Katherine J. Kehler, an innovator, entrepreneur and writer has launched and developed many successful ministries and websites.
Together with her husband, Marvin, Katherine directs Thoughts about God
August 23rd, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Amen. I graduated from college today and some of the people who encouraged me on my journey got together afterwards and one of the ladies had asked what kind of flowers do I like and I told her bright colors happy colors and guess what she brought dandelions. She says that I am always cheerful. I say a cheerful heart is good medicine and the joy of the Lord is my strength. Keep up the great work. GOD BLESS YOU GOD BLESS YOU GOD BLESS YOU…
August 23rd, 2008 at 4:18 pm
I had never thought of dandelions as anything else but weeds that spoils my lawn or as the suspected culprit of an old wife-tale.
The analogy of being like an dandelion, of being bright and cheerful has suddenly become so appealing that it made me for the very first time write a reply to a piece of writing appearing on a website.
It has been a source of some dissapointment to me that, having been a christian for a few years, I seem to lack the constant joyfulness and cheerfulness that should make anyone spot a christian amidst the tired and dispirited crowd! But today this has awaken in me a reasonable hope of becoming like the dandelion: it is humble, after all it is only a weed. It has none of the glamorous lines of the tulip or the lily. As it gets into a more “mature” stage of it’s life, it changes into a drier and colourless appearance, much like most human beings as they get older. But in doing so, it is able to spread seeds carried by the late summer breeze, seeds that will land close by or far afield.
Thank-you for this Today’s Thought.