Lilies

Luke 12.27: Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.

I enjoy lilies; they are one of my favourite flowers. Part of the beauty of lilies, for me, is that they bloom when they feel like it; and all the lilies in one plant bloom at different times.

For a flower that has a relatively short time in bloom, the plant as a whole presents the most beauty for the longest possible time.

By staggering what it has to offer, the world benefits: human eyes (and noses!), bees and other pollinators, hummingbirds and other fly-ers. As one flower is barely in bud, another is opening, another is already fading and petals are falling. The whole life cycle of the flower is accessible to a passerby.

It’s a great reminder, as these stages are showing us their glory at the same time, of what we have to offer in life. We hold new potential within budding us; we are always in various stages of growth and development; we have within us signs of an end approaching; and we have the chance to be delicate and gracious when we need to put something down.

God is blessing us with the constancy of renewal. God has gifted us to grow in a garden of renewal, as we compliment and support one another in their stages as well. Lt’s do what we are called to do today, to the best of our ability; and be thankful! And tomorrow – let’s do the same thing again; but differently.

Consider yourself as a lily; as you grow: a beautiful and fragrant offering to the world.