The following was originally posted as part of “Backyard Parables”:

Parable:

The Kingdom of God is as if someone blew the seed head of a dandelion causing dozens of fluffy seed ‘parachutes’ to scatter over their lawn. Each tiny seed that floats upon the wind will find a way to the ground. It will take root and grow into a dandelion. Soon, the lawn will produce more dandelion flowers. These flowers will continue to multiply as each flower turns into a seed head. With more breath and the wind, these seed parachutes will also scatter. The cycle continues until yellow-orange dandelions carpet the entire lawn. I tell you, it won’t be long until the dandelions leave that yard and multiply throughout the neighborhood.

Prayer:

Gracious God, your love is contagious. Try as I might contain your love as a private treasure, it moves me to share with others. Your loving presence will not rest for long. Instead of resisting or limiting or being stingy with your grace, forgiveness, and compassion motivate me to increased generosity. Strengthen my giving so that others might know of your love through my words and deeds. Let me not stop. Guide my living according to your radical hospitality. Use me to love others - family, friends, strangers, enemies. Through Jesus Christ, Amen.