April 28, 2008

honey from a weed

While young,
and in particular
when a colony is in full bloom,
it is beautiful:a soft pink-purple carpet.
But being weak,
it's easily mangled and
unfortunately grows ugly by summertime.
Neither a serious pest nor notably useful,
this Dead-Nettle is merely a weed.

Happy in partial or even deep shade
and in fairly poor soil
this is a good source of nectar for bees.

We should all consider ourselves
beautiful when young and in full bloom
but we are all weak,
easily misled and tempted,
and some grow ugly
and eventually dead in spirit
as their hearts become hardened.

By the world's standards
most of us could be considered
neither a serious pest
nor notably useful.

However the Lord knows our potential
and we all have unique gifts/talents
that when used for and by the Lord
blossom more beautifully as we age
and produce an abundant harvest
of good fruit.

What are considered by some to be weeds
are by others considered
to be gorgeous wildflowers.

"They whom truth and wisdom lead,
can gather honey from a weed."
- William Cowper