This weekend my husband and I went to the Ladybird Johnson wildflower center for a plant sale. It was our first time to go there and it was amazing to see all the different flowers! As a somewhat laissez-faire lawn person – I made sure to point out that many of these flowers are very similar to the “weeds” that I’ve spent many a morning rooting out of the lawn. Which reminded me of the joke that God gave us beautiful flowers naturally but we’re bound and determined to plant our own anyway. Kind of like when we try to seek things that aren’t in the garden of blessings He’s given to us huh?
Anyway, we had another event to go to later that evening in Austin so rather than rush through, we took our time (and lots of pictures). As I saw all the beautiful colors and intricate patterns, I thought about how God uniquely planned the shape and design of each of these beautiful things. I was reminded of one of my favorite scripture verses in Matthew, chapter 6:25-30 (bold my own):
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat [or drink], or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?”
Which is similar to another of my favorite quotes… “Hakuna Matata, what a wonderful phrase. Hakuna Matata, ain’t no passin’ craze. It means no worries, for the rest of your days. It’s our problem-free, philosophy….Hakuna Matata (from Disney’s The Lion King).”
When I got home, I saw that Picassa, my favorite photo editor had an upgrade with some cool new editing options. See below for how the program pretty much uses math and colors to make a regular photo look like a pencil drawing or even a painting….
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Just like the computer can “see” these new images in the picture, God sees the possible “images” In us. Even if we are slightly off-color at times, or perhaps our highlights are too much or the shadows too dark, He can see the beauty in our image, and bring out the colors of love, service, and faith in us, the joy that makes us His Easter people! This is true of His blessings as well. God gives us simple blessings and takes our simple offerings, making them something drastically more powerful and deep.
Living in Central Texas certainly gives us the opportunity to take a hint from the wildflowers. We take great delight in these simple blessings from God. Let us likewise embrace the other simple blessings in our life – friends, family, a good cup of coffee, food, quiet time, a page-turner, good health. Meditating on them as gifts, we can see the complexity of what those joys are, their gift to us, how they’ve helped shape us, and how much their Giver loves us. Nothing is too small to impact us and bring us closer to God – so don’t stop remembering what God’s protection of the wildflowers or the lilies of the field means for us, His children….
What are some simple things that you are grateful for? How can you slow down a little to savor the simple blessings in your life?
Note: Reflections in this blog are my own and do not represent the positions of my employer.
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