3Mar 08
The Ugly Mushroom
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I have been learning in science about fungus. It has so fascinated me that I would like to write about my experience.
Sometime fungus may seem pretty gross but instead of focusing on the bad part lets look at the way it is formed and how it stays alive. God has made some species of fungi that 
produce up to five different kinds of spores. Spores are involved in reproduction and survival through unfavorable growth conditions.
I started studying about the Mushroom, since it is a fungus. The main parts of a mushroom plant are, the cap, the stalk, and the gills which hold the spores. I really enjoyed finding fungus and showing it to the family. One day this past month I was playing outside with my younger siblings and found a mushroom plant. It was living during the middle of winter. I was so excited and brought it to the house. The mushroom was pretty large. It was fun to find all the different parts that I had learned about, and then show everyone where the parts were located.
I am glad God created and formed even the ugly mushroom. An encouraging thought about the mushroom is how it endures through hard growing conditions and continues to send out spores to produce new life. When we, as Christians, endure hardness, God gives us testimonies that will encourage other believers to persevere.
Fascinating! I never really thought about mushrooms being a fungus before. Some mushrooms can look rather ugly (like #1
), but others have a lot of beauty to them (like #2 – great picture!). But, whether pretty or ugly, they all accept the way God designed them and faithfully work at reproducing (making disciples) – even through the hard times of suffering! Excellent analogy.
You know, our family is going through the follow-up course, and guess which booklet we’re currently on – Suffering! I’ll have to share your analogy of the mushroom with everyone next Sunday!
I remember studying fungus in biology last year – I found it very interesting. I know that some fungi may be ugly, slimy and disgusting, but some can be very colorful and beautiful.
Great post!
Sarah, Thank you for example of longsuffering and endurance. We as a family all benefit from the seeds of grace and peace you spread around. As you persevere may the Lord continue to bring forth a great harvest from Christ in you. Love Dad
Sarah, I appreciate your joy for learning and your desire to relate knowledge to God’s Word. How useful knowledge becomes when related to the principles, promises, and Word of God! The mushroom reminds me of the skunk cabbage.
I was quite suprised when I heard you were studying about mushrooms coupled with enjoying the study. Keep up the good work though and continue studying the incredible beauty and sometimes ugliness of
God’s Creation.
I really like your analogy Sarah! We have to be willing to walk through hard times even if it takes a long time to come out on the other side and succeed.
I was reading a book the other day and it was talking about how we as people are looking for instant results and change in our lives. We are so often unwilling to stop and view each circumstance from God’s point of view.
We forget that God is not look for one that has it all “togther” but one that views life from a perspective that God works all things together for good. If we have this kind of view in all areas of our life we will have many testimonies to share and encourage others with!
Sarah what amazing creativity you did in relating an ugly mushroom to the Christain walk. It was encouraging to read this!
You know, Sarah, I happen to be very fond of mushrooms as a real symbol of the American (especially eastern American) woodlands. They are also a symbol of the amazing creativity of the Ultimate Designer and His ability to think outside the box. I hope all of us come to experience and understand the ways and thoughts that are higher than ours! It is humbling to think that God uses the lowly mushroom to show how much higher His ways are than mine!