Let’s say, for the sake of starting a conversation about it, that you’re out in your back yard with kids. And let’s say, for the sake of setting up this little scenario a little more clearly, that a flower garden is there. Now, that’s what I’d call a blessed and beautiful opportunity.
And it’s a beautiful opportunity for a couple of reasons.
One is how it’s a great teaching moment. And the other is how it’s a great immune builder moment. The teaching part should be obvious. Because you can talk about flowers. Scientifically. AND from a perspective of how their beauty reflects a loving Designer.
Of course, the science part is about, well, parts. Like this:
- Sepals: the protective, leaf-like outer parts of a flower.
- Petals: the often colorful structures that attract pollinating animals to the flower.
- Stamens: the male parts of a flower. Each stamen consists of a stalk called a filament and a pollen-producing tip called an anther. The stamens of many flowers are designed to shed pollen onto a pollinating animal such as a bee or hummingbird.
- Carpels / Pistil: the female parts of a flower. A flower’s carpels are often fused into a single structure known as a pistil. At the tip of the carpel / pistil is a pollen-collecting area known as the stigma. This is where a pollen grain must be deposited in order for pollination to take place.
And, naturally, you can get into the whole reproductive versus non-reproductive aspect when kids are old enough and ready enough to hear that information. And that can also be a lead-in to how that happened.
Because a lot of so-called “science” classes and teachers will say the silliest things. Like this:
“Many flowers that rely on pollinators, such as birds and butterflies, have evolved to have brightly colored petals and appealing scents as a way to attract the attention of the pollinators.”
One thing you can say about evolution-believing teachers.
They’ll take every beautiful opportunity you give them to teach your kids that life on Earth doesn’t require a Creator God. So, that’s another reason, in a never-ending list of reasons, to homeschool your kids.
This world is a dark and sinister place. It’s filled with the people who want to feed innocent minds the junk food of and fearful selfishness. Beautiful opportunities are becoming scarcer with each passing year. But the sights and scents of a flower garden attract children almost as much as they attract bees.
So, even in a flower garden you can make the most of every opportunity to build up your kid’s immunity to the worldly virus. Stop and smell the flowers with them. Help them make a stronger connection to the living, loving God who made the flowers. The same Creator who spoke words and all the universe exploded into existence.
Every tiny, fragrant, magnetic blossom can be a magic little moment. Here’s a rhyme to share with them:
The Scent of Heaven
Take a look at the colors in a flower.
They’re as beautiful as anything you’ll see.
And God knows just exactly what they all need
To bring joy and delight to you and me.
Even more than the best and brightest flower
God loves you every moment of the day.
So the next time you stop and smell a lily
Take a minute just to thank the Lord and say…
“Lord I love to smell the lilies of the valley
And the roses, lavender, and lilacs too.
I love to know they come back every springtime.
Best of all I know the flowers came from You.”
© 2015
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