Matthew 13:7

When you see a dandelion in your grass what do you think? If you are a botanist maybe you think Taraxacum officinale? If you are a child maybe you want to pluck the ‘clock’ seed head and blow the seeds high into the air, counting the number of puffs needed to disperse all the seeds?  If you are a herbalist you might even revere this plant for its many medicinal properties. The plant is loaded with vitamins, antioxidants and may even help to reduce inflammation, and of course you could even toss the leaves into a salad. Whilst you may not fancy eating them, many animals munch their way happily through them. I know that I have spent many a walk, picking dandelions, to feed to Ella’s childhood menagerie of rabbits and guinea pigs, who all adored those foraged treats. You may, however, have fond childhood memories of a glass of mildly fizzy dandelion and burdock juice and surprisingly, even dandelion root coffee, for those allergic to coffee beans, is not a bad substitute!

If you are a keen gardener, maybe you think of dandelions as stubborn, long rooted weeds, which very quickly disperse their multiple seeds around your lovely garden? These ‘weeds’ are sternly constituted to withstand wind and rain and flourish before others can withstand the elements. For bees and butterflies, dandelions provide an early source of nectar, at a time when it is in short supply.

So why are we thinking about this plant, that is common even in urban wastelands?

As I look out of the window, the field behind the rectory is covered in dandelions and all too soon thousands upon thousands of seeds will be dispersed, looking for a fertile spot in which to take root. Despite all the good things that I can list about this humble plant, I’m really not at all sure that I want them rooting in my garden!

So what has any of this got to do with church?

Our current world situation is leading many, many people to question the real meaning of life, and in so doing, to sift through the things that they have been told are important and re-evaluate priorities. This turbulent time is a seedbed for change. All around us, people’s foundations are being shaken, they are looking for more.

Is our church ready to respond? If we are really honest, do we want change in our churches? Are we ready to put in the effort that will help these new seedlings take root, even if they are not quite what we might have planted? Can we see the good things that these new converts might bring, even if they challenge us to think differently and alter the way we have always done things?

As The Holy Spirit gently blows these fragile seeds in our direction, are we prepared to put in the time, effort, and yes, even financial resources to help them grow? We must never be tempted to think that new people through the church doors equals a revenue stream, far from it, nurturing faith and encouraging growth often has both a financial and physical cost. But among these little seeds could be leaders of the future. Think for a moment, who nurtured your tiny seed of faith? Who gave of their time and energy to provide perhaps a Sunday school, maybe an Alpha course? Who gave up their way of life and their freedom to become a priest, who in turn has nurtured you, constantly watering, weeding, and hopefully encouraging new growth? We may not all be dandelions, some may be rare orchids, but in God’s sight we are all equally beautiful, equally cherished and loved.

The parable of the sower is highly relevant here. There is plenty of seed and most of it starts to grow, but sadly some of it is not able to flourish and bloom. It is chocked, its precious new growth is blotted out by bigger, better established plants; even if they don’t realize that they are thistles! Please, when the first seeds of this season begin to shoot, tread so gently. Do all that you can to encourage, and do not to be the thistle responsible for choking the life out of God’s latest crop, but instead strive prayerfully to be the one who waters, weeds, tends and supports these precious seedlings! Amen