Dandelions remind me of my daughters and take me back to their preschool years when they loved frolicking outside for hours. They especially loved finding dandelions and blowing on the fuzzy seed heads. I would join them in watching with wonder the dandelion seeds be carried off by the wind into the distance like little snow flurries.

On really windy days, they would swirl and move as if they were dancing in the air and we would watch them fly off into the horizon until we couldn't see them anymore.

"Let's find another one!" they would shout immediately after.

It was like treasure hunting for them. I loved watching their faces light up each time they picked up a dandelion. They would pause and just stare at it in awe and wonder. That was my favorite part. It's like they just knew instinctually that this was meant to be savored.

My dandelion loving first born when she was a little.

There are things in life and in creation that require our full attention in order to know them and enjoy them the way God intended.

Thanks to my kids, dandelions now hold memories. When I see them, I see my kids and an invitation to pause. Those "dandelion moments" I shared with them also developed intimacy in our relationship.

One of the most precious things I learned during the wilderness season is the need to slow down and savor the presence of God, especially in solitude.

So much healing and restoration has happened in my life through the laying down of my selfish desires and learning to give Jesus my full attention and affection.

The eighth verse of James chapter four says, "Come close to God, and God will come close to you."

Closeness with God actually requires us to act first. We don't experience "dandelion moments" from just staring at a dandelion or sitting next to one while scrolling on our phones.

For me, this looks like fiercely protecting my time with God, making it a priority, and keeping it consistent. It means establishing and upholding boundaries in my life so that my time with God (in the form of worshipping, praying, journaling, and reading scripture) is never hurried and distracted.

In Psalm 46:10 God says, “Be still, and know that I am God!" He has instructed us on how to show up in relationship with Him and how to enjoy the fullness of who He is.

If you want to know the heart of the One who created you, you have to learn to be still.

True intimacy can not be rushed.

You can't hustle and hurry your way into someone's heart, and you can't expect someone to enter yours the same way.

That approach only leads to counterfeit forms of love and intimacy.

Reflection:

What are the "dandelion moments" you've experienced?

Are you hungry or simply curious about knowing God in a real authentic way?

Coaching Tip:

Practice just one DOABLE action step towards experiencing "dandelion moments" with the One who created you.

Maybe it's disconnecting from your phone and reading one chapter or meditating on one verse in the Bible once a week or once a day. Start with something doable and build from there. God is so patient, gracious, and kind. He'll meet you where your heart is at

Dandelion Moments

Words and the Fight of My Life