Rocky Mountain Wildflowers

by Jennfier McGoffin

You’ve heard the saying “The Mountains are Calling so I Must Go”? Yeah. That’s pretty much how I feel 24/7, and because of that, I spend a LOT of time in Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s about 45 minutes from where I live. How lucky is that? Whenever I head to “The Park,” my trusty Cannon comes with me because one of the OTHER things I love is photography. Because of all the moisture the area received earlier this year, there’s been an abundance of wildflowers in the park...seriously...more than normal, which means I’ve had the opportunity to take a buttload of pictures of wildflowers! Some of them are easy to get to. They bloom alongside the main thoroughfares, and require just a few yards of easy walking to get to. Every visitor to Rocky Mountain National Park can see them if he or she is paying even a LITTLE bit of attention, and they’ve probably been in thousands of pictures.

Then there are the wildflowers that take some effort to get to. I’ve taken some fairly long hikes into some pretty wilderness feeling areas, and have seen flowers and thought, “There’s a good chance I’m going to be the only person who sees this flower bloom. The only person who gets to appreciate its beauty.” Seriously, I’ve seen flowers growing out of a tiny crack in a rock! That’s kind of a humbling thought, you know? But you know what, the “I’m the only one who gets to see these” flowers are every bit as beautiful as the flowers that EVERYONE gets to see that are by the side of the road. They don’t care that no one sees them, or appreciates their blooms, or takes pictures of them. They are content to fulfill their purpose in the place they were planted (by wind or animals or birds), and bloom beautifully because that is who they are and what they do!

After pondering about these beautiful creations of God, I’ve come to the conclusion that I wish human beings, myself being up there at the top, could be more like wildflowers. Because ultimately the only person we are “blooming” for is God. If we never receive praise, recognition, accolades, etc, do we still bloom as beautifully? If no one is watching or will see us, will we still put forth our most beautiful colors? We should because Heavenly Father sees us. HE knows and appreciates our beauty. He LOVES us, His children, and knows each and every one of us has a beauty and place to “bloom.”

Now some wildflowers are bright, vibrant colors and are easily seen.

Some are more subdued colors...they don’t stand out as readily.

Some grow quite tall.