Watercolor Wednesday: Do not worry

You know the excitement of opening the door to big bunch of gorgeousness in the form of flowers? Yes, it’s better when it’s a surprise and you eagerly search out the card, wondering who sent them. But I’ve managed to be surprised in a minor sort of way when I’ve received the flowers I’ve ordered with some birthday money, for I forget exactly when I have arranged for them to come. That rush of excitement still surprises me.

I’m enjoying the scent of lilies in my study from my latest delivery,* and today my dad sent across this painting from some flowers my mom got for them. Lovely synergy.

When I think of lilies in the Bible, I immediately think of Jesus telling his friends not to worry:

Then 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 clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, 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, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!” (Luke 12:22–28, NIV)

Don’t worry about your life, Jesus says. If God decorates the grass of the field with these gorgeous and fragrant flowers, how much more does he care for us. That’s a reminder I’ve needed today—even though it took me two lily appearances to realize it!

How about you? Might you consider taking a moment to read through Jesus’ words and personalize them, as if he was talking to you?

* I have some half-price codes for Freddie’s Flowers if you are in the UK and are interested. You have to sign up but can cancel at any time.