I'm just amazed at how some plants get their names. When I look at this plant with it's soft green tip and gentle little yellow flowers, I wonder, "What is so common about this?" I don't know, but, that's the name it's stuck with.
I know people who do this too. They look at themselves, inside and out, and determine that they are nothing special. They relegate themselves to the realm of "common". Yet, that is not how God sees them! He sees their unique feelings, heart, and all the nuances that make them special.
I sat with a friend in church this morning, who shared with me an encounter he had with a young man. Due to struggles at home, this fellow was feeling pretty low, as if he was nothing "special". But with one hug, and some time together, my friend was able to let this teenager know that someone sees him as more than "common". He is special.
If you know someone who might be feeling this way this week, DO something to let them know that they are special. Let them know by word, or deed, or both, that to you, they are not "common", but precious.
@kerristephens@digitalrn Thanks again Kerri! (My #1 fan (o: ) Thanks Rick- I know that you are able to do this for your residents on a regular basis. It's so important!
Lovely interpretation. I can tell you something about the common mullein from my days as a counsellor at a summer camp. The other variety is the great mullein which is, indeed, a towering stalk. The early settlers used to soak the stalk with something flammable (I'm a little hazy on that part) and use it as a lamp. Amazing how ingenuous pioneers can be!
The picture is beautiful...but the words are priceless. A positive comment as easy and simple as it may be to say can go such a long, long way. I try to remember this....
@allie912@mrssmith Thanks Allison- especially for the extra info on mullein. One of the things my husband and I used to do when we were dating was take hikes and identify wildflowers. We still enjoy learning about them. My guess is the settlers used kerosene? I should know that. While in college I worked as a tour guide in an Early American village in Avella Pa. Thanks Mrs. Smith- every time I make a concious effort to show people how special they are, it's a powerful experience. Most of the time it's even more powerful for me.
@friendie@bkbinthecity@yomamabinrotten@megc1@roejan Thank you Carole for your kind words! Thank you bkb- you are bringing out some lovely pictures of the "common" (but really not so common) things in Edmonton! Interestingly Wyoming Tree Planter, it does not really have a fragrance as far as I can tell- but the bees and other insects must be able to sense something because they all know it's there! Thanks Megan! I appreciate your comment! Thank you Roe Jan- you've probably got some spectacular Mullein out your way. Since this one's in the semi-shade, I don't know how tall it will get, but I've seen some of the ones Allison described above and they are as tall as a person!
@jessleeca Thanks Jessie! As I photograph more and more flowers (and am gaining more confidence with my point and shoot camera's macro setting) I am becoming more and more convinced that there is no such thing as a "common" flower. (o:
July 14th, 2011
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