There was a time in my teens when I became obsessed with sunflowers. I can't quite remember the exact age, but I just remember loving sunflowers and wanting sunflower everything. I also had an obsession with cute little frogs at one point, but that's a story for another day. Over time, I fell out of love with sunflowers. I'm not sure why. Something about them seemed beneath me. Maybe they didn't match my sense of elegance at the time, or they just felt too basic. 

I have lived without sunflowers in my life for the better part of twenty years. I've planted just about every other flower out there, but no sunflowers. As I've aged, I have appreciated seeing sunflowers growing out in the fields during late summer and early fall. The most gorgeous sunflowers I have ever seen were in Kansas. When my sister and brother-in-law were married, they chose sunflowers as their wedding flower. My sister had the most gorgeous bridal bouquet. Everywhere we went in Kansas had us driving by a sunflower field, where the sunflowers stretched as far as the eye could see.

Last weekend, my family and I visited our preferred apple orchard in Hendersonville, NC. We spent the afternoon picking fresh apples from the trees in the orchard and found ourselves near one of their sunflower fields. We have visited this particular orchard three times, and while I have admired the sunflowers from afar, I have never felt the need to get close to them... until this recent trip.

The sunflowers are striking from the opposite side of the orchard, but up close, you get to see how very tall and sturdy they are, bursting with vibrant colors, filled with seeds, and covered with pollinators. If you're a pollinator-lover like I am, walking through a sunflower field is like a dream. I was mesmerized by the sunflowers, friends. We had the rest of the orchard yet to explore, and I just couldn't pull myself out of that sunflower field. The beauty, the grace, the resilience... I just wanted to be surrounded by all of that in that moment, and I was.

When we returned home from our weekend in the mountains, I looked out toward the back fence through my kitchen window. We planted a strip of zinnias (my top favorite summer bloomer), and also took a chance and planted some sunflower seeds this year. I don't know why I picked up the sunflower seed package earlier in the spring. Something told me that I needed to try to plant them this year. As I looked toward the tall sunflower stems, I noticed that one of the sunflowers was starting to open up. Gorgeous pops of bright yellow were breaking through, and soon, there would be a lovely row of sunflowers and zinnias for me to gaze upon.

God always shows up for me in flowers. The theme of our church retreat weekend in the mountains (that we attended right before heading to the apple orchard) was centered around resilience. There have been significant changes in my life over the past few months, and I do not know what tomorrow will hold. As I look out of my window to see the sunflowers, I see them for what they truly are. Yes, they're beautiful, but they are also strong. They sway in strong winds, withstand hard rains and storms. They're battered, and yet- they stand tall, knowing their purpose. They greet the birds, bees, and butterflies, giving of themselves so others might experience goodness and life.

I never expected to feel so deeply connected to a sunflower, but today, I am. I encourage you to find a sunflower field near you. Let yourself be surrounded by a sunny piece of God's handiwork, and let it serve as a reminder of your own resilience. 

Isaiah 40:31: "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint".