The Harvest I Almost Discarded

"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives."

-John 12:24 NLT

A few days ago my 8 year old son Benjamin surprised me with a freshly picked dandelion bloom from our lawn. Of course, I told him I loved it. And just as I expected, my beautiful yellow weed started to wilt within a few short hours of sitting on my kitchen counter.

Being the sappy, sentimental person that I am, I let that dandelion sit there as long as I could. In fact, every time I thought about throwing it away, I just couldn't make myself do it. What would Benjamin think when he looked and saw it gone? Yes, I know that I was thinking way too long and hard about this, but I've been quarantined for a while so I have a little bit of extra time my hands. I did this for days.

Well today, Benjamin noticed the dandelion that he gave me. He saw that it had wilted and completely dried. Instead of being disappointed he said, "Mommy, your dandelion died. I'm gonna take it outside so I can break it apart and plant it." I was so suprised by his mature reaction to the "loss" of our beloved dandelion. My overactive mom brain had me worried about absolutely nothing.

Benjamin's simple words prompted me to ask myself an important question. What other gifts have I let die that I should've planted? I am currently taking inventory of my life, my gifts and my purpose with a fresh understanding that that it's not too late to plant them all and watch them grow.

When I see a bright yellow patch of dandelions blooming in my yard this spring, I will smile knowing that I've got some blooming of my own to do.