Today I wanted to showcase regular visitors to our yard that are often considered “undesirable”. As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, squirrels can be quite the pest when it comes to eating all the bird food. But, while squirrels have a voracious appetite, that can be annoying at times, they are also great for picking up several of the nuts that fall to the ground, and they are really cool to watch as they do acrobatics in the trees. I am sure the list is a bit longer but my point is, they are only a pest when I choose to see them as pests.
Lets talk about those undesirable weeds! What is a weed anyway? Although I know what a weed is, I looked it up to see what the official definition is. Once I was able to scroll past all the articles on marajuana, this is the definition I found from Oxford dictionary:
weed
/wēd/
noun
- 1.a wild plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants.
So basically, and undesirable plant. Dandelions are considered to be a weed but happen to be my favorite flower; granted, dandelions do not make the greatest bouquets. Dandelions are a a source of joy for many children as they grow up, also known as the wishing flower, and often the first flower that is gifted to their mothers. Dandelions like many weeds are edible and are actually considered to have many great health benefits. And, lastly, for now, dandelions represent strength and resilience. They can be plucked from the ground and if the smallest part of their root remains… they grow back stronger.
So what makes these creations so undesirable that some go to great lengths to rid their lives of them? What else are we so quick to deem undesirable that actually has the potential to bring incredible joy or improvements to our world and lives?
If I remember to, I plan on asking the Lord what the purpose of a mosquito is. I am just not able to figure that one out… or ticks.
John 1:1-3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
This takes me back to my own childhood and also the time I first learned you could eat Dandelions….so these “so called” weeds are actually a blessing. Of course, the thing that made me smile was to see the pictures of the happy squirrels. They are tricksters but they are oh so sweet and comical and when you have the opportunity to raise one or more….do it! It is such a blessing bringing you laughter and joy. The saying, “if you can’t beat em, join em”…. is so true of squirrels. Why get frustrated about them when you can accept them, give them challenges and watch the relationship grow.
I love this comment so much! I ha e decided to just let them be. But, I have to admit, I still try to control the languid time they sit on the feeder. Lol I will sit and watch them awhile then get up and let them know they have had enough for the time. Haha haha I guess I am learning how controlling I can be!