I love spring and summer. The flowers start to awaken and come forth bursting with colors. It just puts joy in my heart when I look outside and see the vibrant reds, oranges, pinks, and yellows. For years now, I have planted sunflowers along side my garden vegetable plants. I enjoy a variety of sunflowers and am always eager to see what colors they will display.
This year I have three random sunflowers that have come up in my front flower bed where there is rock. Now, I have other plants that grow in this area such as rose bushes and various lilies, but I have never planted sunflowers in that bed. When I saw them sprouting up, I thought it was pretty interesting and decided to just let them be and see what happens. These plants, which I left to grow so I could admire their beauty, have also been serving another purpose. Every morning when I let my dog outside, I always smile because the sunflowers will be facing eastward just basking in the morning sun. It has been a good reminder for me to also start each morning with a grateful heart, and I too find myself basking in the sun. Not only in the physical sun, but my heart thinks on the One who created it. If nothing else, for a few moments I try to just be like the sunflowers and embrace the warmth and sustainment he offers to me. One of the things I just admire about these flowers besides their beauty is their willingness and obedience to face the sun throughout the day. They follow it. What an example in God’s creation that is for us! Keep our minds and hearts upon the One who loves us most. It doesn’t mean your day will be stress free or without problems, but it does mean you don’t have to bear it alone. He walks with us. He guides and protects us, but just like the sunflowers, we have to be obedient to do what we were made to do. Follow him. Seek him. Commune with him. He is such a good, good Father!
It has also been a good reminder of the quote, “Bloom where you are planted.” You may not be in the place or season that you thought you would be in currently. You may not understand the purpose of it. You may not have chosen it either, but you can choose to find the beauty and thrive with the Lord’s help. Like I have said so many times in my Christian walk, it isn’t always easy but thank goodness we don’t have to bear it alone. He is there, willing and able, to help guide us down these life paths, no matter how bumpy it may get. We are to keep our eyes on him. I pray no matter what you may face today, you will feel his presence all around.
Here are my sunflowers in the front flower bed. Is there anything in your yard that serves as a daily reminder as well? I would love to hear about it!
Keep moving forward,
Hayley W
Unpolished & Imperfect 