"Flowers"

I saw something the other day,

That you rarely ever see,

A cowboy picking flowers,

‘Long the roadside casually.

An armful of bluebonnets,

Injun blankets and paint brush,

Had himself some buttercups,

And never in a rush.

His pony grazing nearby,

Moved along with trailing reins,

He didn’t have him hobbled,

So I guess he was well-trained,

To stay close to the rider,

Picking flowers by the score,

I watched him from a distance,

Moved closer, asked what for.

He tilted back his cowboy hat,

Said these don’t last too long,

They’re only here a little while,

And soon they will be gone.

But my mama liked wildflowers,

And it was this time of year,

When the Good Lord called her home,

These blooms make her feel near.

I smiled and said I understand,

My mama, too, is gone,

Five years ago this summer,

But it doesn’t seem that long.

I climbed back in my pickup truck,

It was time for me to go,

And from my rearview mirror,

I saw him movin’ slow.

He was tying with a piggin’ string,

That bouquet to his saddle,

Gathered reins and toed the stirrup,

With the flowers cross his cantle.

And as I drove away I thought,

Of my mother’s joy and smile,

And how she loved the flowers,

Though it’s been a little while,

Since I brought to her the color,

Of wild flowers by the road,

And now she’s gone to heaven,

But so many seeds she sowed,

Are still giving us the beauty,

That she loved everyday,

I’m glad I saw that cowboy,

He prompted me to say,

Don’t miss the roadside miracles,

They truly are a gift,

Pick a few from time to time,

It will your spirit lift.

“And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to your life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.” (Matthew 6:27-29, NAS)

Jesus was teaching about worry when He used flowers as a example. They bloom and they’re gone, yet they are granted beauty that surpasses even the glory if Israel’s greatest king. The point was that if God adorns the flowers of the field, how much more will He make our lives beautiful. We can trust Him to take care of us and supply what we really need if we seek His Kingdom first and prioritize His rule in our lives. Remember the flowers!

Lord, help us to overcome worry and put our trust in You, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bruce Greene, used by permission. Thanks, Bruce, and God bless you.