Dandelions...are they weeds or wishes?

1 Corinthians 10:13Good News Translation (GNT)

13 Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.

Romans 8:28New Life Version (NLV)

28 We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are chosen to be a part of His plan.

Philippians 4:8New Life Version (NLV)

8 Christian brothers, keep your minds thinking about whatever is true, whatever is respected, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever can be loved, and whatever is well thought of. If there is anything good and worth giving thanks for, think about these things.

“Dandelions are like bitterness that spread sadness and disappointment.”  This past weekend that analogy really stirred in my heart on multiple levels.  Dandelions are seen by most as weeds, but to some as wishes.  We all know that weeds are not something we want, but wishes are what we crave.  Negative thoughts are the seeds that tend to take over our minds and then our actions.  As my dear friend, Ashley Shephard wrote in her book, Beautifully Designed, “The bottom line is there are words that enter our minds and, if we’re not careful, these words can stick to our hearts and become our identity rather than the truth of who God says we are.”  

We tend to remember more of the negative than we do the positive.  I, as all of you, have many roles in which I pour positive words into others.  As a teacher, I have the kids write down positive mottos on their desks.  They have to look at that on a daily basis and remind themselves that they can accomplish anything.  As a lifestyle coach, I help others see all of the positive things they are seeing and doing.  We are writing these positives daily.  The minute I hear doubt in their voices, is the minute I remind them of the “NSV’s- non-scale victories” that we just discussed.  Why do we hold onto those negative words and thoughts more?  I do not know because I do it best.  But what I do know is that if we let them become weeds in our minds and hearts, it does us no good.  

So take those positive seeds and let them spread like those of a dandelion’s.  Let them create wishes and become a field of possibilities.  

Remember that:  

He will give you the strength (1 Corinthians 10:13) 

and 

all things work together (Romans 8:28)

and

whatever is true, respected, right, pure, can be loved, and is well thought of. think about these (Philippians 4:8)

Because those are the seeds that need to be planted in our hearts.  

Be Blessed!