The Ole’ Girl
John 12:24
Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
Sitting one day in the tiny hair salon getting my hair cut, I looked out the window and there was one small lone sunflower in with a patch of zinnias. I remarked about there being just one sunflower and Kelly, my hair stylist, told me she didn’t plant it, the seed must have been dropped by a bird. Regardless she was going to let it grow as it already towered over the zinnias, Kelly said she thought it had spunk.
As the summer grew, so did the sunflower. She was a pretty little thing with her bright yellow “hair” and brown face. She was strong and grew, almost seeming proud in her spot among the zinnias. The summer faded into fall and there she stood, still beautiful but showing some age as her petals began to fade and fall. Her face was still brown but faded as she started to produce her seed. I mentioned to Kelly how this sunflower had reminded me of being a woman. From the spring of life: being young and vibrant, to summer: when a little age shows but strength and wisdom add to the beauty of a well-planted life. Finally, when the years have reached their fullness we die. We both were silent for a moment as we reflected on this thought. I have to say, I left that day a little depressed. Seasons pass and before we even realize it we are in the winter of our lives.
It was a bitterly cold day in November when I returned for a haircut. Kelly had me facing the mirror but eventually turned my chair and there she was, still standing strong against the November wind. Her beautiful brown faded face was downturned and her seed was all gone along with all the other flowers. “Sunflower” stood alone in the patch. I mentioned to Kelly that I was surprised to see our flower still hanging on out there. Kelly said, “I didn’t have the heart to cut the ole’ girl down after the last time we talked.” We laughed briefly but our thoughts turned quickly back to our own lives. In December the ole’ girl was gone. I didn’t say anything but mourned her in my own heart.
As I drove home I thought about life and death. I thought about how a seed has to die in order for there to be life…and then I understood. Not only did Jesus’ death give life to those who love him, he defeated death. Death is not our concern. The day we accept Christ as our Savior and that His shed blood covers our sins we begin our eternal life.
He is the seed. He is the first fruit. He is alive!
In this life we may wither and fade, but we will not see death. So like my little sunflower, may we grow strong in our faith but also wise in the word of our LORD. May the love we have for Jesus be the beauty that shines from within, and if we are going to boast, let us boast like Paul said, and boast of Jesus, for what he has done and will do. May our lives and death reflect and be a witness to the Truth, and the reason for our hope, our peace, and our joy. Above all let us be known for our love, for one another and for our fellow man.
Thank you to Ric Thien for permission to use his photo
