Why I Don't Like Marigolds by Marilyn Nutter

Why I Don't Like Marigolds 

by Marilyn Nutter 

My friend Pat and I were on a morning walk admiring some beautiful yards when we passed a home that had a large planting of marigolds. 

“I finally figured out why I don’t like marigolds.” I said.

Pat laughed at my comment. “What? Not liking marigolds is a preference and I understand that, but what’s with figuring it out?” 

“Well,” I continued. “It’s the colors—gold, yellow, and orange; those are autumn colors. They seem out of place in summer. Pink and purple petunias, red knockout roses; lavender hydrangeas—those are the flowers that should decorate our yards in summer. We can save the marigold colors for mums in the fall.” 

“Well, I’ve never quite thought of it that way, but I see your point,” she answered, as we picked up our pace and turned our attention to a majestic foxglove.

Scripture speaks about spiritual gifts and says: “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service but the same Lord…and he gives them to each one, just as he determines” (1 Corinthians 12: 4, 11b). 

Every Christian has at least one spiritual gift. We haven’t chosen the gifts; they have been graciously given to us by the Spirit to serve, nourish and encourage others. But there can be problems when we wish we had another’s gift and ignore God’s grace in giving us the one we have. 

We wish we could sing or speak in front of groups but our gift is helping others or showing mercy. We might be envious of someone who has the gift of administration and organization, so we try to “run” an event and fall flat on our face. Nothing can frustrate us more than imitating a gift we don’t have. Nothing breeds failure more than operating out of our giftedness. Not using the gift the Spirit has given us leaves us unfulfilled.

Out of place…a wrong fit…creating dissonance and disunity. Doing things that we aren’t made to do and neglecting our true gifts. For me this describes marigolds in summer!

Have you discovered your spiritual gifts? Read Romans 12: 6-8 and 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11. Can you find your gift(s) listed? Pray about it. Ask a friend if he or she recognizes your spiritual gift(s). I bet friends will know if you have been an autumn-colored marigold in July or a beautiful pink knockout rose in summer.

Marilyn lives in Mt Holly, NC, is the author of three devotional books, contributor to several compilations, and a speaker for women’s groups. Visit her sites: Marilyn Nutter.com and Grandmother’s Points of View or contact her at marilynnutter@gmail.com.