Have you ever watched a Daffodil open? I went to the store this morning for some much-needed coffee. While I was in line, I noticed a huge box of daffodils. Only 6 long stem, cut daffodils for $1.50. I could not resist. I bought a dozen of these yellow beauties. When I got home, I cut the stems and put them in my favorite vase. As I sat them on my kitchen table, they looked a little funny and not very beautiful. Here were 12 green stems with brown, skinny looking pods on the top. You couldn’t tell they were daffodils let alone flowers. However, I knew that overtime they would open and display their beautiful splendor.
An hour later, I sat down at the table to work on the computer. As I was trying to put my thoughts on paper, I heard a crack. I looked around to see if something fell out of the trash (the trash needed to be emptied). No trash on the ground. My eyes were drawn to the daffodils. There in the center of my vase was a flower breaking free from its protective layer. The sound was one of transformation. I sat still watching that flower. I swear I could see it grow right in front of me. It was painfully slow but I could see the tip of the yellow flower showing its color. Over the next couple of hours, the flower completely broke from its case and began its journey to full bloom.
As I sat at my computer, working on a leadership message my mind and eyes wanted to keep focused on the flowers. Are people like these daffodils? How often do we work with people who are surrounded by their protective cover? How often do we get the opportunity to watch the beauty within break forth? Each one of us is that beautiful bud that was creativity made by the God of the universe. All we need is to be placed in a vase, watered, and allowed to flourish.
My prayer is that as I am given opportunities to lead people I would look at each person as 
a beautiful flower that needs time, attention, and proper nutrition to be what they are created to be. As you work with people at work, students in your classrooms, the children in your homes, or the people at church remember that each one is a beautiful bud waiting to bloom. Handle with care and enjoy the transformation.
