Devil’s Paintbrush

I was delighted to see a bee sleeping on a flower in the chapel grounds this month, one which I call Fox-and-cubs. Although a professional gardener friend warned me about its propensity to spread, I think our graveyard a suitable place for it. The bee certainly had no complaints.

Some of its other names are rather curious: Devil’s Paintbrush, Flora's Paintbrush, Golden Mouse-ear, Grim-the-collier, Grimy Coalminer, King-devil, Missionary Weed, Orange Hawkweed, Orange-flowered Hawkweed, Red Daisy, Tawny Hawkweed (all courtesy of wildflowerweb.co.uk). Devil’s paintbrush, indeed! And in the shadow of a respectable and God-fearing nonconformist chapel!

Truly, Satan paints many fine pictures for those who wish to be deceived: pictures of an atheistic universe bereft of meaning; of a salvation that can be earned; of a god-infested pantheon; even of a Son of God who may be approached through his mother. God’s truth is revealed in scripture: ignore the garish colours and lively brushstrokes, for God’s plain truth is always better than the devil’s lying artistry.

A D