My current obsession with flowers can probably be explained by the time of year it is (late spring), when in most regions of our fair country, flowers are popping up and bursting forth with fragrant blooms that tickle our various fancies. Here in Florida, though, (the state actually named for its incredible flora and fauna), spring sprang back in February and the blossoms are now struggling to keep from shriveling up to beef jerky status in the daily 90-degree heat.
Despite sprouting in a blast furnace, the amazing, wee wild crocus has recently captured my attention. No, not despite it, because of it.
These lovely delicate-appearing but stalwart-in-constitution little underdogs are not to be denied – they pop up everywhere. Like a surprise blessing. A relative of the iris and the source of saffron (the priciest spice in the world), many survive in the blazing sun-drenched places where wind or rain has blown their sturdy little seeds to reach out in propagation glory.
And they put up with everything nature and mankind has with which to bombard them, and keep smiling.
Reminds me of another underdog who happens to be a real dog. My rescue pup Laz (if you’re a regular blog-reader of mine, you’ll recognize him as Laz the Resurrection Dog). Laz has put up with a lot of blast furnace stuff during his lifetime (including abuse, abandonment, and yes, even death … hence his name. If you don’t know that story, you’ve gotta scroll back and find the blog post about it. Pretty crazy.) Nowadays the little fellow is arguably overly doted upon, especially when my grandpal Bree visits and considers him one of her dolls.
Yet Laz puts up with everything that comes at him and keeps smiling.
I want to be more like that. ‘Cause I’m not. I’m a wimp. When a blast of life’s heat hits me, I grouse, not grow. I wither, not weather it. I don’t smile, I grimace.
Sigh.
We all tend to root for the underdogs, don’t we? Rocky Balboa; Cinderella; the tortoise racing the hare; Ru-dy, Ru-dy, Ru-dy! So I’m thinking Papa God has a special place in his heart for the underdogs who keep trying despite the oppressive heat blasting their way.
Would that be you, my friend? What heat blasts have you endured lately? How may I pray for you? I’d love to hear your comments below. Hugs!
