“Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?”
Luke 12:27-28 (NLT)
“That’s a great idea, but I don’t need one more thing on my plate,” I said to my husband, Kyle, as we stood in our kitchen looking out at our back yard.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved flowers and wanted to plant a garden, but never made time to make it happen. Now, in the trenches of mothering a two-year-old and almost one-year-old, the idea of planting and watering seeds in our backyard felt like a commitment I couldn’t keep. Kyle, on the other hand, disagreed.
Within a few hours, my happy-go-lucky husband went to Home Depot and bought cedar wood, soil, and zinnia seeds. He picked out bright pink gardening gloves for me and royal blue gloves for our toddler son. That afternoon, I had a raised flower bed waiting for me in our backyard.
To my surprise, I was not upset. Kyle’s gesture was pure-hearted, and if it weren’t for him, I would still be standing in our kitchen shaking my head at the idea of growing any plant or flower on my own.
I slid my gloves on each hand alongside my son, and began designating places to plant our seeds. One by one, we dropped them into the black soil, then gently covered each one. After our planting was finished, I felt the Lord place Luke 12:27-28 on my heart.
“Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?”
As a mom, you spend so much time caring for others, right? If you have small children, you change diapers, peel open silver lids of apple sauce cups, and listen to songs you’d never choose to listen to on your own. If you have older children, you spend time helping them with homework, listening to the latest school drama, or driving them to practice. If you have adult children, you guide life-changing decisions, plan visits if they’re away from home, and try to navigate what it means to have kids who are independent. Your role is holy, but meeting the needs of others day in and day out can leave you feeling unseen.
Friend, as we embrace these warm summer months with colorful flowers and green trees blooming in all directions, let them be a reminder of the words Jesus says in Luke 12:28, he will certainly care for you. Our concerns are Jesus’ cares.
When you’re tired, He will certainly care for you.
When you’re overlooked, He will certainly care for you.
When you’re disappointed, He will certainly care for you.
God delights in seeing you, loving you, and caring for you. Mama, as you meet the needs of others today, remember your Heavenly Father longs to care for you, too.
Your fellow Able Mom,
Mandy Johnson
Lord, thank you for caring for us. Please help us to remember how much you see us and love us today as we carry out your will for our lives. Amen.
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