Dandelions and Buttercups

See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? … But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. (Matthew 6:28b-30, 33-34a NIV)

Sometimes we just get too busy to notice. Life presses hard. Worries crowd our minds and trouble our hearts. It doesn’t even take a big crisis to topple us. The daily chores that never end numb our brains. How can the laundry basket be overflowing when a load from last week is still in the dryer? I need to phone the bank. Fill that prescription. Buy a dress for the wedding next month. What will I serve my parents when they visit this weekend? All the little errands and duties of life add up and can fill every hour of the day without our notice or attention. And then it’s past time for bed … again … and into it we tumble. Wiped out. Exhausted. Drained.

It had been one of those draining days for me. Up past midnight the night before helping to chaperone the prom at my husband’s school, my body ached from standing all evening and then helping take down decorations. I had to be up early in the morning, packed, and off to the airport to visit my daughter and family for a week. I arrived a bit tired, to say the least. After supper, she asked if I wanted to join her and the children on a short walk. She understood if I was too tired. Was I? She promised a “meandering kid walk.” No exercise, just a time to allow little ones to run off some steam. One look at three excited faces and the sleepy cuteness of a newborn baby nestled in his front pack, and I was all in. Of course, I’d take that walk.

As we started down the trail, we hadn’t progressed more than three feet when my two grandsons were off and running toward a field of dandelions and buttercups. The grass was spring green fresh and the bright sunny yellow of those humble flowers warmed my heart. My tiny granddaughter, never one to be left behind, toddled off the path to catch her brothers and join the awe and wonder and great delight. The best dandelions ever! Some were past their bloom and ripe for making wishes as we blew their seeds into the early evening air. Some were still full of shining yellow brightness. Buttercups, dainty and slender, were picked by the dozens and handed like great treasures to Nina and Mama. We received the gifts with the respect they were due.

And suddenly, I wasn’t tired. My mind was not filled with my “to do” list. I was focused on the glory of a buttercup in the hands of a little boy with a mile-wide smile. I took in the wonder and freshness of it all. So much beauty in the simple. Just waiting to be admired. And I almost missed it. The sunny field of flowers swayed in a gentle breeze and winked at me. See, silly? Why worry? The God who created the beauty and renewal of spring, the One who invented flowers, loves you. Knows your needs. Let tomorrow worry about itself. Treasure this day. This time. This moment. How grateful I am I didn’t miss it.

Heavenly good Father, thank You for little blessings like patches of buttercups planted for our enjoyment and wonder. Forgive me when I allow busyness to block out beauty. Thank You for Jesus’ wise words. Help me to abide “in today.” Help me to trust that You will meet me in my tomorrows as well—no matter what. I love You, and I love Your wonderful created works! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

You are loved,
Sharon

Sweet Selah Ministries

Vision To encourage a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth that stillness and knowing God matter most—
and will be reflected in more effective work and service

Mission 
To offer resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

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