Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

Have you ever taken the time to appreciate the dandelion? Some people spend hours ridding their grass of this pesky weed. They think it ruins their perfectly manicured lawns. And yet the flower is a beautiful yellow and adds color to the yard. God did not design the dandelion to be a weed. He packed this beautiful flower with nutrients, and it offers us a numerous amount of health benefits. The dandelion root and leaves are edible. It’s ironic that while some people spend hours plucking these flowers from their yards and tossing them into the trash, others harvest them or purchase them at the supermarket and make tasty dishes with them.

Everything God creates is beautiful and well thought out. He never makes a mistake. Every creation of His has value. The dandelion is a member of the daisy family. If people referred to the dandelion as a daisy, would people treat it differently? Unfortunately, people form opinions of God’s creations and label them. At times, people cannot see past the label to appreciate the gift. A title sticks and people have a preconceived notion about these flowers. Many do not know the value of this flower because they did not take the time to debunk the lies they were told about this healthy plant.

The same is true about people. God created each one of us, and He had a specific plan in mind. Not one of us is a mistake. God labeled us with beautiful titles. We are His beloved, a friend of Jesus, the bride of Christ, Gods sons or daughters, His handiwork, and His treasures. In God’s eyes, we are beautiful flowers. For us to bloom, we need to be nourished with love and respect, not only from others but also ourselves. We all add value to this world and can make a difference. We need to accept the titles God has given us and shed the ones that people have given us. We also need to look past the titles others have been given and get to know the person. Instead of seeing their flaws, let us see their beauty. We miss out on many opportunities of knowing people because we allow other people’s biases alter our view of others.

Now let us discuss the importance of the dandelion for a minute. We need to take the time to marvel at how intricately God creates every one of His creations. God gave the dandelion specific vitamins and minerals to nourish His children. The combination of these nutrients can help prevent and heal illnesses. Dandelions contain vitamin A, C, and K as well as a lot of fiber. They also provide us with calcium, iron and small amounts of copper, zinc, magnesium, folate, and niacin. Dandelions are low in calories and high in fiber. They are high in antioxidants, which can assist in fighting diseases and neutralize free radicals in our bodies. Research has shown they may also contribute to fighting some cancers, providing antimicrobial properties, lowering cholesterol and improving liver health. They are low in calories and high in fiber. Dandelions have also been shown to help with weight loss, maintain bone and skin care, decrease anemia and improve liver health.

Dandelions can be harvested from the yard or bought at the store. When getting out of your yard, make sure the lawn has not been treated with weed killers or pesticides. The roots can be used to make tea. Add the greens to smoothies, soups, sautéed, steamed, in salads or use in a variety of recipes.

Caution: Dandelions can aid in lowering blood sugar, therefore if you are on medications to regulate your blood sugar, consult with your doctor. Some people have an allergy to the dandelion, so add slowly to your diet to make sure you do not have a negative response.

The next time you see a dandelion, remember it is not a weed and take the time to admire its beauty. Make sure you do the same with all the people in your life too.