Although it may be hard for those of us in the Midwest to look out and see a perfectly manicured, glorious green lawn – it won’t be long and we will see them everywhere. Just as sure as winter is here now, spring is on its’ way – and with the changing of the season, we will trade the view of brown, leafless trees to an abundance of leafy green foilage and glorious green lawns.
Unless of course, the traveling seeds of dandelions come and upset the continuous bed of greenery. When the winds blow, so do dandelion seeds, and as much as you may have meticulously cared for your lawn, if your neighbor has been slack – you are going to pay the price! A few little flying seeds that land on your lawn bed can cause yellow sprouts to come up that will take forever to root up.!
This thought came to mind when I consider that many of the problems we encounter in life do not always stem from our decisions. Often, the decisions of those we love – family members, friends, even co-workers, politicians, the Madeline Murray O’Hair’s of this world – execute things in motion which have an effect on all around them. Just as sure as most of us don’t intentionally plant dandelions, so too, many of our challenges have roots in the decisions of others. (I can hear a few Amen’s!)
What we don’t think about dandelions and other pesty actions, especially when we are dealing with the impact of the decision of another, is that God made dandelions too! In fact if you look at many ingredients on medicine bottles, particularly herbal medicines, you will find one of the ingredients are dandelion roots! Consider this:
The fresh juice of Dandelion is applied externally to fight bacteria and help heal wounds. The plant has an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Staphococcus aureus, pneumococci, meningococci, Bacillus dysenteriae, B. typhi, C. diphtheriae, proteus. The latex contained in the plant sap can be used to remove corns and warts.
Internal Uses
Dandelion is also used for the treatment of the gall bladder, kidney and urinary disorders, gallstones, jaundice, cirrhosis, hypoglycemia, dyspepsia with constipation, edema associated with high blood pressure and heart weakness, chronic joint and skin complaints, gout, eczema and acne. As a tonic, Dandelion strengthens the kidneys. An infusion of the root encourages the steady elimination of toxins from the body. Dandelion is a powerful diuretic but does not deplete the body of potassium. ( taken directly from www. altnature.com)
There is much more to be said about the value of what we often view as pesty little dandelions spoiling our beautiful lawn!
It is just as true with the challenges that we face in this life, whether they are of our making or not – if they come into ’our lawn’ – it is for sure there is purpose, there is a plan, and there is potential benefit to us – if we carefully get to the root!
Something to think about,
Maria