Sunflowers

Sunflowers make me smile. Other types of flowers may be more beautiful and fragrant, but something about a huge field of delightful golden petals reaching towards the eastern sun just makes me reflect and marvel at God's creations. Anyone traveling between Calhoun and Cartersville on Hwy 41 knows the field I am referring to that is the temporary home of acres and acres of stunning sunflowers.

There is so much evidence in nature of the Creator's hand. Do you think God had some fun when He created these particular flowers? Or how about when He designed the tiny hummingbird...or the colorful clown fish? I like to think He did enjoy it and really had a "big time", just as we get excited making things for our children and anticipating their reactions. So how much more pleasure did our Maker have when He fashioned man?

Each of us is kind of like the sunflower......we are all basically the same having been created in our Father's image, and we grow and change in our field of mankind on this planet earth. We come in different varieties with defining characteristics that make us special and help us to fulfill our purpose in life. The sunflower bud will follow the direction of the sun across the sky and drink in the warming rays for nourishment and strength. Then at maturity, the sunflower bloom will face the sunrise. So then we as young Christians should follow the path of the Son everyday and allow His love and mercy to sustain us through our growing seasons. When we reach the end of our growing cycle and are in full bloom, we can rise tall and face the eastern sky to meet our Saviour face to face.
I like this version of Psalm 103 from The Message:

Psalm 103:6-18 (The Message)

God makes everything come out right;

He puts victims back on their feet.

He showed Moses how He went about His work, opened up His plans to all Israel.

God is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, He's rich in love.

He doesn't endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever.

He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.

As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him.

And as far as sunrise is from sunset, He has separated us from our sins.

As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear him.

He knows us inside and out,keeps in mind that we're made of mud.

Men and women don't live very long; like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,

But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly, leaving nothing to show they were here.

God's love, though, is ever and always, eternally present to all who fear him,

Making everything right for them and their children as they follow His Covenant ways and remember to do whatever He said.