The Sunflower

The Sunflower

I love Sunflowers, they remind me of Nick.
I love Sunflowers they remind me of Jesus.
We started with a little black and white sunflower seed back in April of 2009.
How does the seed even know how or when to grow
once placed in the weed filled dirt?
It must be our creator God that wills it to happen.
In its own perfect time the small slender green stalk breaks through the dirt
as if it desires to be born into this earthly world.
From a little breathless seed to an earthly life it rises only from the glorious power that flows from His hand.
It is nourished and cared for through dirt, water and sun.
Each one without the other and it would not even grow at all.
He provides them all as a separate loving reminder of His detailed care.
I love Sunflowers, they remind me of Nick.
I love Sunflowers, they remind me of Jesus.
Several weeks have passed and the Sunflower is nearly six foot tall!
I have decided to name the Sunflower "Saint Nicholas".
One of the last pictures that Nick took on this earth was that of a Sunflower.
I wonder what Nick loved about the Sunflower?
I wonder what the Sunflower reminded Nick of?
Day by day now the Sunflower inches higher toward the blue sun filled sky.
Its big green leaves bask in the sun and unfold from the stalk
as if to outstretch its arms in praise to God.
I am in awestruck wonder that just weeks ago it was nearly a little seed doing nothing in a package on the Depot's shelf.
This same little seed was born into a living motion through our mysterious Lord God.
It's over nine foot tall now with its yellow and black head appearing to turn and peak at us over the backyard fence.
I have planted similar seeds all around and most have not even broken the surface of the ground.
Why is it that all the other seeds have had the same chance and conditions but this one stands uniquely different from the rest?
Although it is older now with some earthly scars from bugs, wind and hail.
I have no doubt that it remains cared for as it appears unhindered standing tall and slender looking back over all of us with a smile.
It is gently blowing in the breeze, waving peacefully to all of us as if to say that everything is ok today.
It shares its beauty and life with the others that it surrounds and it reminds me of a better life yet to come.
An eternal life shared with loved ones, friends, and our creator God.
I love Sunflowers, they remind me of Nick.
I love Sunflowers, they remind me of Jesus.

~ In Memory of Nicholas Peters