Gorse

 "Gorse." My first introduction to this spectacular prickly shrub came courtesy of C.S. Lewis in his describing what it was like to ride on Aslan's back:

"That ride was perhaps the most wonderful thing that happened to them in Narnia.  Have you ever had a gallop on a horse?  Think of that; then take away the heavy noise of the hoofs...imagine you are going about twice as fast as the fastest racehorse...right across Narnia in Spring, down solemn avenues of beech and across sunny glades of oak, through wild orchards of snow-white cherry trees, past roaring waterfalls and mossy rocks and echoing caverns, up windy slopes alight with gorse bushes..."

Mind you, I had never actually seen gorse until we moved to Scotland!  It was winter.  We were making our pilgrimage from Orkney to Kiltarlity to visit Kate when I noticted unseasonably BRIGHT YELLOW BLOSSOMS gracing the prickly shrubs along the verge.  Astounded that ANYTHING could bloom under such conditions, I set out to identify this wonder!  I discovered a 19th century English proverb:

"When the gorse is out of bloom, kissing's out of fashion."

Evidently gorse can be found blooming here and there year-round in Britain!  The following summer we were headed north on the A-9 after another visit with Kate and her family.  The sun shone and the air was quite warm by Highland standards.  I rolled down the window just as we drove past a hillside fairly glowing with bright yellow gorse blossoms.  Suddenly we were enveloped by a most delicate, intoxicating fragrance!  Who knew that gorse smelled and tasted of coconut?

I have since discovered a myriad of mysterious characteristics of this strange and alluring shrub:

Gorse grows ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE, along motorways and in wasteland
It flourishes where soil is shallow and nutrients scarce
The flowers are a valuable source of pollen and nectar during gap months
Its blossoms are high in protein, delicious in salads, tea and liqueurs
The seeds can be soaked in water and the liquid used as flea repellent
The flowers and bark produce brilliant yellow and green dyes
Gorse are "noisy, exploding self-seeders"

One might wonder, "Why all this fuss about Gorse??? God has designed His creation to reflect His glory.  Even gorse has a lesson or two for me!  These are difficult times.  I have not always "flourished in the wasteland."  Gorse has given me a bit of inspiration to:

Persevere when growing conditions are challenging
Provide a bit of sweetness for all I meet
Help others taste and see that the Lord is good
Soak myself in the water of the Word to ward off pests
Live a colorful life and avoid drabness at all costs
Eagerly (noisily?) plant seeds, sharing the reason for the HOPE I have in Jesus

Soli Deo Gloria!