April showers bring May flowers . . . and POLLEN—and it starts back in March.

Politicians divide the nation into Red and Blue. However, spring unites us as Yellow States!

Over the past weeks, flaxen goo has covered cars, coated lawns, clogged throats, and congested noses. The golden gunk sticks like glue. After a shower, the streets appear to be paved in heavenly gold.

All agree that Georgia is beautiful during the spring. Trees bud, flowers blooms, and grasses grow. Azaleas, dogwoods, daffodils, and day lilies serve as harbingers of summer’s advent.

But the beauty can also be a beast.

The vast palette of buds and blooms produces a noxious cloud of allergens. A reading of over 120 is considered “Extremely High” on the pollen count. Many spring days feature four digit measurements.

Sooner or later, the pollen affects everyone with itchy eyes, sniffly noses, sore throats, and sinus headaches. Patients jam doctors’ offices, and social gatherings sound like tuberculosis’ wards. People pop antihistamines like Tic-Tacs and gargle Chloroseptic like water.

We all learn about the birds, bees, flowers, and trees. The Creator designed this intriguing, intricate process to insure the reproduction of flora.

I would never dare question the Master Gardener’s plan; however, there are spring days when I have enjoyed about as much as I can stand.

Anyone who lives in Georgia, however, better get used to the pollen. In the long run, allergies are a small price to pay for azaleas, daffodils, dogwoods, oaks, red tips, boxwoods, and day lilies.

In Matthew 6, Jesus told his followers not to worry. Then he pointed to the natural beauty all around them and said, “See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” If God cares for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, then surely the Creator will also care for us.

So breathe deep and give God thanks for the beauty of this earth—pollen, allergies, and all.