Okay, how many of you have either given or received a dandelion bouquet? When I was growing up my mom always kept very small vases just for those sweet little bouquets she would lovingly receive from those tiny hands. So when I became a mom I did the same thing. I have a few special vases for those first flowers given in the spring. Now I have grand-babies who are bringing me flowers!

Dandelions are weeds...and yet when they are received from the tiny hands of a child, they are more precious to us than any expensive bouquet of roses ever was. And the look on their faces as they hand us our crumpled bouquet is priceless.

I've pondered how God feels when we bring Him an offering...are we bringing it as a child brings that dandelion with sweetness and love. God is more concerned with the matters of our hearts than the physical offering itself. A couple of scriptures that teach us this are Matthew 5:8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. Also Matthew 6:21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. One more, Hebrews 13:15-16 Our sacrifice is to keep offering praise to God in the name of Jesus. 16 But don’t forget to help others and to share your possessions with them. This too is like offering a sacrifice that pleases God. So God is pleased with our praises of Him and our acts of kindness to those God has placed in our lives, from our family to the grocery clerk or the stranger we meet along the way.

Maybe the next time you see a dandelion...pick it and put it in a vase to remind you of the simple gift of praise and kindness and God's love for His children, you could even give it to God as an offering of praise and thanksgiving for all He has done. Give it to Him with a childlike faith, crumpled and withered but all He sees is your praises and kindness.

So get out there and pick a dandelion bouquet with your children or your grand-babies and cherish the simple things in life.