My husband is waging war against dandelions. And, so far, the dandelions are winning.

What started out as a patch in our lower lawn has turned into a full on invasion, and our yard is almost completely covered. Slowly but surely, like a rising tide, they creep closer and closer to the house. Though we’ve been reluctant to use an herbicide because of the toxic chemicals, my husband has finally had enough. Intent on eradicating dandelions once and for all, he recently coated the lawn in weed killer.

My husband isn’t the only one with a dandelion vendetta. Considered an invasive weed, just about everyone wants to abolish them. But their deep roots make that really hard to do. Add to that their multitudinous fluffy seeds that get dispersed at the lightest brush of wind, and you have an uphill battle on your hands. Dandelions are tough. Their simple, sunny appearance belies their hard core tenacity.

Because of their reputation as stubborn weeds that deserve to be exterminated, they’re commonly used as a metaphor for longstanding problems. (I used dandelion imagery in this very way not long ago in a blog post when I compared dandelions to persistent worries that need to be uprooted.)

But I’ve been thinking. When looked at in a different light, dandelions have some admirable qualities.

In many ways, I actually want to be like a dandelion. I want to have optimism, hope, and faith that can’t be uprooted, no matter what. I want my joy, peace, and strength to multiply. I want to spread love, courage, and beauty as relentlessly. I want to cover new territory and make consistent progress in my goals and callings.

How can I become more like a dandelion?

In Colossians 2:7, the apostle Paul says,

"Have your roots planted deep in Christ. Grow in Him. Get your strength from Him. Let Him make you strong in the faith as you have been taught. Your life should be full of thanks to Him." (NLV)

Here is the number one key having the resilience and fruitfulness of a dandelion: growing deeper in God. And some of the top ways I can do that are by feeding on His Word, refreshing myself in His presence, and soaking up His love like sunshine.

I also love how Paul says, “Let Him make you strong in faith.” Let Him. Just as dandelions don’t strive to flourish, I don’t have to strive either. As I focus on planting my roots deep in Him, I can trust that He will make me strong in Him and accomplish all that needs to be done in me.

As I reflect on the dandelion, this is my prayer: Lord, let my roots grow so deeply in you that nothing can move me. Let me spread your love as effectively as a dandelion. Teach me to walk more closely with you, and help me to persist in moving forward in your plans.

And our lawn? It’s been over a week since my husband spread the weed killer. So far, the poison has barely made a dent. For my husband’s sake, I hope it turns out to be effective. But in the meantime, I’m cherishing this symbol of strength and tenacity.

With love,

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Meditate

And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love; and may you be able to feel and understand, as all God’s children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high his love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is so great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it. Ephesians 3:17-19 (TLB)

Your turn

What do you do to promote tenacity, strength and progress in your life? What is your favorite way to grow with God? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!

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P.S.

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