Lessons from the Wildflowers

A few days ago I was out on my daily walk, moping about the weather and how drab everything seems. It hasn't been all that bad, but the cold this year is really getting to me! I am very ready for spring to fully come, in all her splendor. So anyways, here I was, bemoaning the cold, when I decided to look around me. And what did I see but signs of spring and beauty everywhere! I discovered that even though the temperature might not be doing just what I want it to do, the flowers and grass seem to be handling everything okay. It brought to mind those well-known verses, Matthew 6:27-34. This version is The Message. . . although I normally use the NIV, I really liked the way it paraphrased this:

"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."

Lord, how often am I so focused on myself, and worrying about my own preferences (like it being too cold for my taste) that I fail to 1. notice those around me, and 2. trust in You and what You're doing in my life? What a silly thing to spend time on, complaining about the cold! Please give me that thankful, unworried spirit that glorifies You. May I direct my entire attention to You alone my Precious Jesus.