Five years of marriage and two houses later, my husband’s springtime lawn expectations haven’t changed. As soon as the snow melts and green lawns resurface, Steve becomes fiercely dedicated to eradicating any sign of the stubborn little weed known as taraxacum officinale: the dandelion.

As a former dandelion fluff blower, this anti-weed fervor goes against everything my childhood taught me. And yet as an adult, I understand the aesthetic appeal of a dandelion-free yard. As irksome as those tiny yellow flowers are to my husband, I can’t help but wonder if there isn’t an object lesson buried somewhere in those stubborn mounds. I mean, God made dandelions too, right? 

After reading up on a few of their God-given qualities, I began to notice an interesting comparison: the dandelion is actually a lot like the Word of God. Say what?! But consider:

#1 - God’s Word, like the dandelion, provides nutritional benefits.

Now hear me out. I’m no vegan. And I’ve been to a Whole Foods only once in my life. But apparently people actually eat this annoying weed! According to allamericanturf.com, “dandelions are enriched with Vitamins A, E, and C, as well as iron, zinc, and calcium.” 

Like the dandelion, God‘s Word also provides nutritional benefits in a spiritual sense. Where would I be without the Bible’s daily spiritual nourishment? Jesus quotes Scripture in Matthew 4:4 when He states,” ‘‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” I need the encouragement and the wisdom of God‘s Word to help me get through the daily struggles of life.

#2 - God’s Word, like the dandelion, provides medicinal benefits.

As irksome as these weeds seem to us today, dandelions have been used for centuries to treat a number of physical ailments from toothaches to stomach, liver, and kidney disorders. God’s Word also provides medicinal benefits for every spiritual illness: hate, bitterness, rage, depression, apathy, hopelessness, just to name a few. 

You might wonder, “How? It’s just a book.” But the Bible is not just any book. It is the living, breathing Word of God. And who better to heal us than the One who created us? Hebrews 4:12 says, “the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”  Once we realize that the Bible is a communication tool that directly connects us to the heart of our Heavenly Father, it is no longer unthinkable that His Word could be used to provide strength and healing in a multitude of situations, both physical and spiritual.

#3 - Like the dandelion, every part of God’s Word has a use.

Surprisingly enough, the dandelion could pose as the poster child for the purpose-driven plant. From flower to leaves to roots, every part of this weed can be used for some purpose, whether as food, dye, or medicine. 

Second Timothy 3:16 describes the Bible in much the same way: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” Did you catch that? All scripture. Not just the Gospels or the New Testament. Not just Psalms or Proverbs. But every Word. Realizing that God can use any part of the Bible to speak to me makes it that much more important that I read it often. All of it. You never know which part of the Bible God will use to completely change your life next!

The next time you see a yellow head pop up in your beautiful expanse of green, instead of reaching for the Roundup, take a moment to appreciate this stubborn little plant. God created it, too, to teach us more about Himself and His Word. At the very least, we can keep in mind the assurance of the prophet Isaiah: “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8).

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