I am a self proclaimed wildflower enthusiast. They are some of my favorite creations here on this earth!! I think all humans are naturally drawn to flowers. It’s said that they were probably one of the first things humans came to value that had no obvious utilitarian purpose to them. They are the subject of poems, songs, and other works of art. So what is it about flowers- wildflowers in particular that draws so much attention? I think it is the lessons they subtly teach us all, just by growing.
Lesson #1: God provides for flowers, and He will provide for us
One of my favorite scriptures is 3 Nephi 13:
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin;
29 And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith.
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the . things of itself. Sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof.
When I look at wildflowers I feel God’s love. He took the time to make these tiny, delicate, yet intricate creations. He provides a way for these tiny works of art to grow and flourish. They grow without worry because God provides for them. We are taught that “the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” (D&C 18:10) and that we are created in God’s own image. The Bible also says that we have “dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Gen 1:28). SO if God provides for these tiny little creations, and we are so precious to him, I think that he will provide for us as well. I KNOW that he will provide for us! He gave the flowers water, soil, and air and he has supplied us with what we need to be successful as well. Things like scriptures, family, the temple… We are promised blessings when we keep our covenants. Our Father in Heaven knows what we need. He will lovingly lead us through this life to where we need to be
Lesson #2: Wildflowers grow in hard places, and so can we
I am always amazed when I see flowers growing in the oddest spots. Peeking through a tiny crack, twisted around a fence post, or sprouting from the middle of a river. Wildflowers always find a way to grow where they are planted. Wildflowers don’t always have the strength to just break through rocks and concrete by themselves. Instead, they exploit the weaknesses that are already there. Molecule by molecule, millimeter by millimeter, the plant takes advantage of the space around them and pushes its way to the top. I often wonder if I am taking advantage of all God has blessed me with. I am completely focused on the “giant block of concrete” I need to move? Or am I using my blessings to help me grow through my trials? Wildflowers and other plants also use a complex system to share nutrients and communicate with struggling plants around them. Likewise, we can use our blessings to help those around us grow. So many of us are blessed with so much!! So if you have the means, share them! Do what you can to help. Find the good in a situation and use it to grow- I promise that the struggle will make you stronger.
Lesson #3: Wildflowers are pulchritudinous (my new favorite word) and you are too!
Pulchritudinous!! I’m never using the word beautiful again. Pulchritudinous means more than beautiful, which is what I think wildflowers are. I’m pretty sure that all humans think wildflowers are pulchritudinous actually. No two wildflowers are ever alike, and yet I’ve never seen an ugly one. I’ve seen flowers missing a couple petals, tinyyyyy little forget-me-nots, and particularly large sun flowers. I think the individuality of each flower makes them all collectively beautiful. They each grow without worry or comparison to any of the other plants around them. I love to meet new people, it’s amazing the range of talents and spiritual gifts and stories that exist in our world. Each individual person has something precious to add to society- even when they don’t recognize it in themselves…. so share your happy talents and be your happy self !!
To end this loooong-kinda cheesy-but heartfelt blog post, here is a poem that my super cool missionary friend wrote!! I think it sums up what i’m trying to say pretty well 🙂
“A flower grows up heaven bound
To show it’s smiling face
And gives itself up happily
To brighten our dreary days
—
It asks not much: sun, water, air
It gives more than it gets
And though we cut, and tear, and stomp
It moves on forgives forgets
—
So let’s be as the selfless flower
Seek to brighten, give, and smile
We’ll live all the more happily
No matter wind, not storm, nor trial”
