Consider the Lilies

Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will 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 of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:25-34 (NRSV)

We had lilies in our yard by the ocean. They were often dappled in water drops, from dew or from the night's rain. As a small child, I loved getting up early and brushing, ever so slightly, against them. Walking in their beauty and feeling the waterdrops shake onto me, I felt holy and magical, as only a little child can, before the fear and worries of the world overwhelm us. God invites us today to see the witness of the Creator's magnificent creation, in all her beauty. May we understand life, as small children again, with all the wonder and curiosity given.  May we trust God and let go of the worries for just today.

Loving Creator, your beauty is all around

yet our heads are buried in our worries

we ache for the future and out stability

yet you have given us every blessing.

In this world where violence and bigotry prevail

let us be those who speak to the brokenness

with your love and act with your passion for this beautiful world. Amen.