What do I see in this flower? Among all of the other flowers on the same plant,
THIS one is different. It has some peculiarities. It is "supposed to be" all yellow, just like all of its companions. Yet, it is not. It has some interesting "discolorations". But that is why "she" captured my attention. I didn't photograph any of the other flowers on this plant. They had immediately become boring. THIS was the one. She
wasn't the "perfect specimen". Quite to the contrary, she has some glaring "defects".
I think that it is great that when God made this little flower, He added a random splash of color onto her. It changed her completely. I imagine that to some (plant experts) she is quite flawed. She could never be entered into a contest, because she is not what she is supposed to look like. She is different than the others. But that is exactly what makes her so special.
Sometimes I feel "different" too. I feel like I do not fit in with the others. I am not the same. I don't fit into the mold. I am not comfortable even in their conversations. I am a misfit, even among my colleagues. There are some glaring differences from me and most others. This used to bother me greatly. It used to make me feel badly. I used to be concerned with why I never felt the same as most people. But these days, the things that others see as defects, imperfections, flaws and quirks are the things that I know God loves the most. Some are on the outside, many are internal. He put them there so that I would not be the same. He put them there so that I would stand apart, like this funky little flower.
You too have those funky little unique qualities. Please don't hide them. Please don't diminish them in order to blend in with the others. God gave them to you so that you too would stand out. Don't be just another flower on the shrub. Be the one that captures others to stop and notice what is different about you. They may just see what God intended them to see instead of just another one of those yellow flowers. They may see HIM and what He put inside of you to draw them in. That is the WHOLE point. Your uniqueness was designed to draw others in so that through you, they could see Him.
When I saw this flower, I immediately thought of God, for I knew HE had created her this way. His fingerprints were all over her and her uniqueness. I love this flower. She is different...like me, and like you. Let your funky flower show. Stand out boldly among the droves of others who are all striving to be exactly like everyone else thus blending in and never truly being seen and never allowing Him to be seen in them. Be a funky flower.
I have no idea why I loved this little plant. I have never even eaten eggplant. I secretly assume that it is gross. I shouldn't be like that...but I am. I thought that the little baby ones were just so cute. And I had no idea that the blooms on an eggplant plant (does that sound weird?) were as beautiful as they are. Did you? Well, enjoy the beauty of this vegetation. It's as good on the eyes as it is the body. (Not that I have personal experience with the latter.)
What do I see in this flower? Among all of the other flowers on the same plant, THIS one is different. It has some peculiarities. It is "supposed to be" all yellow, just like all of its companions. Yet, it is not. It has some interesting "discolorations". But that is why "she" captured my attention. I didn't photograph any of the other flowers on this plant. They had immediately become boring. THIS was the one. She wasn't the "perfect specimen". Quite to the contrary, she has some glaring "defects". 
This has to be the freakiest spider that I have ever seen up close and personal. Not the scariest, just the freakiest. It was just hanging out on this flower pretty inconspicuously. I didn't even notice him until I got up close to take a pic of the plant and then I realized he was lurking back there. Look at those spikes on his legs! They are really freaky. Like a cactus or something. Has anyone ever seen one like this? Does anyone have any idea what kind of spider this is? Just curious.
I've been keeping my camera with me wherever I go. If I see something that captures my eye or my interest, I snap its picture. Today, this one was my favorite. Oh, if only I had the money for a "professional" camera, and the "know-how" to use one, I'd have more fun than I probably need to. So, excuse me as I present to you guys: my dreams, my ramblings, and my less-than-expert photography. I enjoy it a lot, and that's what counts.
As I was driving home the other night, I passed this scene. I couldn't help but turn back and snap this picture. It is at the park right at the end of my street. I thought it was beautiful.
What is it about flower buds that draw me in? I love them. Sometimes even more than the flowers that they eventually turn out to be. Perhaps it is the beautiful possibilities peaking out that intrigue me. I love them when they've just burst through their green little wrappers and their amazing color can be seen, yet there is still great mystery of what exactly will come forth. I suppose it is the fresh start to something beautiful; something that hasn't yet been seen, experienced, or tainted that captivates me. It is the beauty of purity opening itself into the world where so many possibilities await, both good and bad. We all start out this way. I wonder what beauty lies within each of us that will gradually burst forth. The thought excites me greatly.
