Traveling from Texas to Vancouver, WA in the last week, I have had the joy of seeing the two regions’ wildflower favorites in full bloom—bluebonnets and Camas lilies. Both blossoms adorn fields in take-your-breath-away blue. Such stunning displays of wildflowers bring me back to Jesus’ garden-goad not to worry about my life. Enjoy an old favorite blogpost as I pack up and travel home, hopefully worry-free! Although lately I have realized that even the disciples, walking daily alongside Jesus, needed a flowerful reminder 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… Consider how the wild flowers grow…
Luke 12:22,27 NIV
Today I woke up with worry…how you must hate to see your saints waking up with worry, O God! How many times you tell your people not to worry and how many flowers you have grown to remind us. The earth is covered with wildflowers, a special species for nearly every region. By planting flowers in our gardens, we are imitating God—filling our yards as He has filled the fields. Which reminds me to place my order for crown anemone bulbs. I hope to look upon the very flowers you looked upon as you walked the roads of the Holy Land. O Lord, could my garden become your holy land? A planted plot set apart with the testimony that the Lord has conquered every fretful trouble (John 16:33). Anemone coronaria bloom with bold color—riveting red or purple-blue, or a bride’s delight, white. All shades are punctuated with black centers, adored by artists like my great-grandmother Maude Francis Neel. Yet any flower will do!
Turn my focus from burdens to blossoms; let’s go out to the garden, Lord, to see what posy is present this moment to proclaim that you know what I need. You will see that I am fed, watered and clothed (Luke 12:22-32) Even the words I need to speak you will supply (v.12). In fact, it is your pleasure to give me everything from your kingdom.
Fancy that, I think my great-grandmother might say: God convinces his people of his provision with wildflowers. I’d better gather a vase-full for my bedside, as she must have—much better than worry to wake up to!
Learn more about crown anemones in the Plant Guide
http://gardenndelight.wpengine.com/plant-guide/
Photo Credits © 2015 Shelley S. Cramm
Bluebonnets blooming on a sunny morning in Irving, TX
Camas Lily close up, found in the Camas Lily Fields – hike up to see this glorious sight!
Hand painted crown anemones by Maude Francis Neel, c. 1980
Portions of this post originally appeared on April 8, 2014 at gardenndelight.wpengine.com/worry-wildflowers/