The ubiquitous Showy Primrose is frankly an embarrassment to the discerning gardener. Oenothera Speciosa is, as its nickname suggests, very showy in the springtime and summer. Billows of pale pink blossoms can cover a huge area with a minimum of effort. You may have noticed large swaths of pink along a country road.
Primroses are considered wildflowers, and most sophisticated home gardeners will insist that they stay that way — confined to the wild, outside of cultivated garden beds. It will spread rapidly by underground runners, and can be very difficult to eradicate once it is introduced.
And so, with a hanging head and red face, I must admit that I added a sprig of this misbehaving plant vagabond to the garden last summer. It has quickly become a fluffy three-foot wide mass of pink, and seems to have devoured my lemon thyme. I’ve been sternly warned to pull it out while there is still time, but others insist that it is easy to work around by yanking it out by its shallow roots, while the mischievous plant rewards the gardener with lots of color.
Sure, it has its faults, but this pretty flower also known as Mexican Primrose remains in the garden. Of course, I’ll have to move a few things away from its relentless path of pinkness. I only hope I haven’t set myself up for a big headache in trying to evict the new tenant later.
Jesus rebuked Peter in Matthew 16:23 by saying, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to Me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (ESV)
I might find myself similarly angry at the invasive primrose, for being selfish and taking over. It may someday appear as a devil to me in its waywardness. But what is important to consider is what Jesus really felt about this young, impetuous follower of His.
Jesus loved Peter.
Jesus loves us. Not because we are always lovable, but because He is better than that, bigger than that, more wonderful in His love than we could ever even imagine. He is forgiving of our obvious frailties, even when we appear as if we are Satan incarnate! Peter became a powerful proclaimer of the gospel, to the Jews first and then to the Gentiles. He proved his own love for Jesus again and again, even after his infamous denial.
Christ is not embarrassed and ashamed of us, as if He could do so much better. (And of course, He could.)
“Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters” (Hebrews 2:11).
Not only is the Holy Son of God not ashamed of us, he calls us brothers and sisters! True love is when someone sees our flaws — all of them — and loves us anyway.
If I smile sheepishly when my more experienced gardener friends see that I allow Showy Primrose to grace my garden beds, at least I know my Savior isn’t scandalized by my presence in His own family.
–by Christine Berglund @ www.forthright.net