By Stacie Wittemyer

But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream.

Every child knows the dandelion is the most beautiful of all flowers and is worthy of the finest vases. Later in life, a different sensibility develops in us, and dandelions become the outcasts of the flower kingdom. When gifted with a dandelion, we often stick it in a paper cup vase and throw it away as soon as the child isn’t looking.

Sometimes that’s how it is with people we see as outcasts. A stranger knows when hospitality is insincere, impatient, less than welcoming. At some level we all fear being outcasts of social systems. We spend a lot of energy hiding this feeling.

What blessings would reveal themselves if we shared authentically and walked side by side on journeys of poverty, numbing affluence, addiction, endless busyness, mental illness, violence, the deepest sorrows, and loneliness?

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). We are claimed, and so are those we don’t want to claim.

Like a dandelion pushing through crumbling concrete to find sunlight, nourishment, and a place to bloom so, too, does the spirit of our broken soul. Blessing the dandelions of our lives will call us into a sacred vulnerability with one another, a shared burden of companionship and healing.

The Spirit calls us to a pained awareness of the unnecessary suffering in our world. Together we can dedicate our energy and creativity to mutual well-being, justice, and peace.

Allow a cup of these least-loved dandelions to be the centerpiece of your table and your heart. For in their welfare we find our welfare.

Prayer Phrase

“Bear one another’s burdens…” (Galatians 6:2).

Spiritual Hunger

Jesus discerned hungers of body and spirit, and he fed them through a physical, verbal, spiritual ministry of presence. In a time of listening prayer, ask God to help you discern physical or spiritual hungers of people in your congregation, community, and global family. Invite the Spirit to move you to one hospitable act that “feeds” someone’s hunger today.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.