Dandelions and wildflowers are such beautiful creations. They are a delight to watch grow during the beginnings of spring. They nearly blanket my entire yard. The whimsical nature of the dandelions tug at the corners of my mouth, forcing a smile upon my heart. They remind me of the simpler times of childhood. They sway back and worth in the gentle breezes, begging to be picked up. I stop and think to pick one. I think of blowing all its seeds away, of sending all my hopes and wishes with them.
However, and there is always a however...
As wonderful as the dandelions and wildflowers seem,
they are actually weeds.
Yes, WEEDS!
That left unattended will rule over my yard and leave it looking a mess. In fact, I did let them grow for too long this year, and it took great effort to get my yard looking decent again. My husband and I even unearthed some baby snakes (AH-YIKES!) in the process.
That's the thing about pretty things. They don't always stay pretty.
Our temptations and desires of the heart are often the same way. We long for things that on the surface seem pretty, whimsical, and harmless, but are very far from that.
Instead all the pretty things our hearts keep tempting us with are more like venomous snakes lurking underneath the brush, just waiting to strike as we aimlessly walk about.
Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is more deceitful than anything else and incurable, who can understand it?"
Yet, our society is constantly tell us to "follow our heart".
Like the mirage in the desert is somehow real, but it never is.
Our enemy likes to sneak into our hearts this way. Making sin seem harmless and attractive. No wonder he is called the father of lies.
The phrase "listen to your heart" also sounds good on the surface, but is actually bad advice. Especially since our heart is constantly betraying what we truly value. It only brings us closer to disappointments, instead of lasting joy.
Unfortunately, I have let quite a few dandelions and wildflowers grow freely in my life.
They have shot up in my heart seemingly harmless at first, but soon turned into heartbreak, shame, and bitterness.
They sprung up in the form of broken relationships. Usually a relationship with a boy that "kind of" followed Jesus, and was "woking on it".
Or sometimes they just didn't value me as much as I valued them...regardless, I wasted a lot of time wishing on those dandelions.
Or sometimes it came as a string of envious wildflowers, that at the time I would have called ambition and just trying do my best. But in truth, I was striving for status. Tying "my success" to my identity.
There's nothing wrong with a little healthy ambition and a desire to do well, but when it turns into to putting others down in order to puff myself up...well, that's a weed that will always need to pulled.
Or sometimes my dandelions have been food. Ever since my late 20's , I've had a real struggle with food. I just love it SO much. Social media tells me to "treat myself"....but I don't think I'm supposed to do that everyday!! Pasta, nachos, bread...these wildflowers have lead me astray from the healthy life I am supposed to live.
Isaiah 40:8 "The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God endures forever."
Our hearts will betray our souls every time, but God's word will keep us grounded. Reading the Bible is one of the best ways to understand God and His ways. It provides ample instruction on how to find peace, rest, and joy, the things that every soul truly desires.
In the moments where I didn't pause to pray, skipped a quiet time, or simply ignored the Holy Spirit, I have always regretted it.
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths."