Bluebonnets

Now that Spring is in full bloom I keep an eye out for bluebonnets. If you’re not from Texas you may not appreciate the significance of that. Bluebonnets are not only the state flower, but make driving around our crazy freeway system here tolerable. There’s patches of amazement amid the maze of traffic snarls and road construction. Yesterday, I saw my first bluebonnets. Just a small patch mind you, but it’s a precursor to the beauty that’s coming.

Even though the freeways and interstates will be transformed for a few weeks, I need to drive a little further if I want to see the full beauty of Spring. Those from here will tell you that the way to truly appreciate God’s glory is to take a drive out in the country; especially if you’re headed for the Hill country. If the stress of city living gets to much it can be alleviated by a short twenty-minute drive. If you take time, that is…

Taking time is in short supply these days. Busyness has become a way of life. I know, because all to often, I play right along. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the ongoing activity of daily life and forget the importance of “easy does it”. I begin to worry about what “I” have to do to make things happen. I forget that all God asks me for my cooperation in the unfolding nature of life. He’s already taken care of the results.

I got up this morning with a full list of things I need to do today. There’s people coming to work on the house, Saturday chores to be done, things to do in the yard, and blah, blah, blah… but God had other plans. Our contractor’s sub turned out to be a friend. We sat on the porch, drinking coffee and talked about the important stuff going-on in our lives – families, recovery, and listening to God’s voice. The work to be done lost its priority. It’ll get done. But sharing friendship and the miracles taking pace in our lives? Those are the moments to be treasured.

One of my favorite things Jesus said (and I tend to forget) is this: “If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the  table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There’s far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on you body… Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers… The ten best-dressed men and women look shabby alongside them”.

“If God gives such attention the appearance of wildflowers – most of which are never seen – don’t you think He will attend to you, take pride in you, do His best for you? What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving… 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.” (Matthew 6:37-33 The Message)

It dawned on that some items on the ”to-do” list will still get done today.  Those that don’t will go on another day. The guys will get the work done on the house. It’s all good. Maybe I should have another cup of coffee and head down a country road. The bluebonnets have arrived…