A few people lately have looked at me oddly when I tell them that I titled my blog Sunflowers at Home. Looking at it objectively, it is an odd name isn't it? I decided today to give a bit of an explanation.
I have always liked sunflowers for as long as I can remember. When I was little I loved seeing them along fence lines or in fields. They always looked cheerful and sunny and seemed to be an indicator of summer days full of play, relaxation and fun. Sunflowers represent happiness for me. As I grew older I appreciated their sturdiness.
Sunflowers were used by the Indians as a stake to grow vining vegetables on because they were strong and tall. Sunflowers were able to support their own weight and provide a food source for the Indians. In addition, they were able to assist other plants growth and production.
Then I started to grow them myself and was amazed at their growth. They start out as a small seed. Some varieties have seeds that are just a few millimeters long. From this small, seemingly insignificant seed grows one of the tallest and strongest annual flowers I have ever seen. The flower itself is usually as large as if not larger than a dinner plate.
When I became a Christian, I adopted the sunflower as a kind of reminder. In John 21:22 Jesus is talking to Peter, whom He had just instructed to feed His sheep. Peter becomes concerned with something totally unrelated, jealous almost, and questioned Jesus about it. "Jesus answered, '...what is that to you? You must follow me.'" Have you ever watched a sunflower throughout the day? The flower follows the sun relentlessly. It does not turn from the sun, always towards it, always following it. We should also follow the Son, never turning from Him.
God created us, just as He created the sunflower. We both grow from a small, seemingly insignificant seed. We both have the potential to become something beautiful and fruitful ourselves. We both have the ability to support others in their growth as well. Unfortunately, we also have the potential to become stunted, ugly creations. God does not intend for us to become so. When we are away from the sun/Son we do not get the nourishment that we need to become beautiful. We can not mature, we can not become fruitful, we can not help others to grow, we can not stand tall for all to see.
So why Sunflowers At Home? I want to stand tall, to follow the Sun, to help my children to grow spiritually, to be a beautiful creation of God. I want sunflowers in my home.
