by Sonce Reese

Created on: September 26, 2009   Last Updated: October 07, 2009

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin (Luke 12:27a - NAS version) and yet they flourish; they are beautiful.

Lilies bloom where they are planted. They do not complain about not having enough water to survive, nor do they uproot themselves just because they don't like their surroundings or where they are planted. They do not procrastinate or put things off, they are neither argumentative nor rude. In fact, they are beautiful just as they are; their sole purpose is to just be and yet they flourish.

When you think of lilies (or any flower), the thought turns to beauty. The colors may be vibrant, the flower may be majestic. Quite often the flower brings joy. Flowers received on a birthday or special occasion is usually met with a smile. Very rarely do flowers bring sadness. Even flowers at a funeral invoke somewhat pleasant memories of the one that has passed on. Flowers (plants, trees and the like) do not run around the field or garden trying to figure out how to grow, they just do. They don't wonder if they will bloom this year, they just do. They don't think about how to make growth happen, they just grow. A lesson that we should take to heart. Most often, we spend so much time pondering and thinking and considering a decision (or something) that we never get past the decision making stage and make a difference. Flowers don't do that.

A flower knows that it's soul purpose is to grow. So, it grows, but it doesn't end there. The plant produces seeds and then once those seeds are planted, it's legacy begins. Winds may take it's seeds to another location, where those seeds germinate and become flowers themselves, this cycle continues (season after season, year after year). In doing what it does naturally, the worry is eliminated. The flower knows that whatever it does, whether it's bloom in a field or in a vase, it will be spectacular. No bad "leaf" day for this foliage.

During the joys of watching, it's not often you hear a tree complaining about benefits or shouting "take this job and shove it". The tree allows itself to become home for several creatures. It's branches are the "condos" for birds, squirrel and the like. Trees do not fuss about what they should be paid for their services. It is just not so. Yes, Jesus used many parables involving nature as guide to how we should live our lives. To show us tranquility and to give us an example of what peace should look like.

When life life has us down, we look to Mother Nature to help us

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