Oh, the Lilies

Jesus said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, 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, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” Luke 12:22-31

Creator God, you clothe the world in beauty

your bright silent stars are night's radiance

your wet grasses in the morning meadows

and the lilies of the field sing your praises.

We often worry and fret about enough

yet you shower us with abundance

we often focus on our many losses

and you surround us with beauty anyway.

Your followers had you close at hand

yet they too fretted and worry without cause

worry kept them from seeing the capacity

and the eternal promise in their near presence.

Help us to raise up our heads and notice

you hands of love gently raising up new life

your sweet songs of promise of the winds

and your love enveloping each and every one. Amen.