by Linda Veath

DandelionThe annual dandelion war had begun. As I sprayed the noxious yellow weed, I ventured a question across the lawn to my neighbor. “Don’t ya just love dandelions?” His resounding NO left no doubt as to where he stood.

I smiled as I knew I had just added one more question to my “Ask-God-when-I-get-to-heaven” list: “God, why did You make dandelions? Actually, why did You make weeds period? Genesis 1:31 says that everything You made was very good. Even weeds and dandelions. So what happened?”

As I thought about it, I came to the conclusion that “we” are what happened. Thanks to Brother Adam.

And unto Adam

[God] said, because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it; cursed is the ground for thy sake; … . Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; … in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread… Genesis 3:17-19 KJV

Because of Adam and Eve’s sin, the earth that God created “very good” was now cursed, including the very elements out of which everything was made. The ground would be reluctant to yield food and would now produce thorns and thistles. Plants that were created very good now became noxious weeds, adding to the toil, sweat, and tears as man labored to till the ground. My yard of dandelions certainly required toil, sweat, and tears in my attempt to eradicate them.

BUT one day, when we live eternally on the new earth, all will once again be “very good”—even dandelions. We’ll look at them and say to our neighbor “Don’t ya just love dandelions?” And their answer will be a resounding YES.

So when we grouse about dandelions and other noxious weeds, may we remember: it’s all “our” fault. And then thank the Lord for His forgiveness and His promise that all will be new and very good again.