He continued this subject with his disciples. “Don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more.

 “Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

  “What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.

                                                                                                                                                    Luke 12:22-32 (MSG)

There are lots of things to worry about these days: paying the bills, how to go to school or shopping or a concert and not be a victim of a mass shooting, illness, job security, finding love, raising children, retirement; what happens when our bodies die. Some days it feels like the list goes on and on, doesn’t it? I don’t think I’ve had one completely carefree day in my life. Even as a child, I had terrible nightmares that made going to bed scary every time.

Luke reminds me there is something greater, more beautiful, more peaceful, and more truthful. And that is this: God cares for every part of creation – including me and including you. If God cares deeply for the birds of the air and the flowers in the field, well, God cares for you and me even more. God taking pride in me is a radical thought because I am not a shining example of a follower of Jesus. I raise my voice. I get angry. I say and sometimes do hurtful things. Sometimes I fail to notice those in need around me. I have been known to carry a grudge. I wonder, “How can God take pride in me? Why would you God, do your best for me? I’m incredibly flawed.” But God does. Because, as they say, “God don’t make no junk.”

Luke says, “Relax. You know God and you know God’s ways. All you need to do is respond to God’s giving.”  God gives us unconditional love when we are our most unlovable. God gives us life in the death and resurrection of Jesus. When things get tight, God gives us a way through. Not worrying is hard, especially if you do not have money for rent or your next meal. Not worrying in the face of a cancer diagnosis is hard. Not worrying when you’ve lost your job; seems impossible. Not worrying about the safety of our children; also, seemingly impossible. God says, “Look at this simple flower. It is a contrast of darkness and light. The middle is spikey and uneven. Some of the petals are twisted and bent. But just look at its beauty! I’ve given it to you, and I will give you so much more. Every day. The dark days and the light days. The spikey and uneven days and the twisted and bent days. The bright days and the beautiful days. I am here with you.”

Today may be a bright and beautiful carefree day for you. Today may be full of darkness. Rest assured, God is giving you love and life. God is giving you a way through. Let the flowers remind you just how beautiful you are in God’s eyes – because you are radiantly beautiful. God takes pride in you. God is doing her best for you every day.