Photo and Commentary (c)2026 by Darren Milam
That’s what this image is of the flowering portion of the Globe Thistle plant. You may not be able to tell from the picture, but these flower “globes” sit atop stems that can grow three feet tall. If you’ve seen other varieties of thistle, you know they can be quite prickly. Looking at this spherical blue bloom, you might assume it’s prickly too. Surprisingly, it isn’t. Its spiky appearance comes from dozens of tiny petals packed tightly together to form a beautiful globe.
As I zoomed in to capture this photo, I was drawn to the detail and uniqueness of such an unusual flower. I’ve said it before, but God is incredibly creative. His handiwork is remarkable, and there is always something new to discover and appreciate in His creation.
In full transparency, I had to do a little investigating to identify the plant. When I learned it was called a globe thistle, I couldn’t help but smile at the irony. God not only created this tiny, beautiful flower suspended at the end of a long stem, but He also created the entire globe on which it grows.
The fact that we can have a loving relationship with the Designer of all things, the Creator of the universe and beyond, is truly astonishing. Even more amazing is that this same God knows each of us personally and cares deeply for us.