Over the past weeks as I made the short walk to the DFAC here in Erbil, I noticed the flowers in bloom and the birds belting out the songs of spring reminding the world that Spring has sprung. Soon chicks will hatch and fawns will be born and the circle of life unfolds before our eyes. Springtime is upon us and we are reminded of new life and of new hope.
These sights and sounds, which can easily be missed in times of stress and crisis, are a reminder from our Creator of his love for us and his creation. I confess I have been distracted by depressing headlines and worry over family who are isolated due to the quarantines levied in the United States and around the world. So, I stopped and picked a flower, placed in a water bottle, and was reminded that God blesses us in the little things.
This little flower took me back in time to a Texas spring when my daughter was little girl. She picked a spring flower and marveled at its detail and delicate beauty. She asked many questions about the flower; she asked about the delicate and beautiful petals; she asked why God chose this color. She looked at the flower in awe of God’s creation and together we were blessed by God in his creation.
We are quick to give God praise when grants huge blessings such as a miraculous healing or He intervenes in some huge way and forget God in the great big little things we encounter each day. It is easy these days to be overwhelmed by the negative…corona virus, the stock market, separation from family and friends.
Today I want to challenge you and remind MYSELF to see God in the little things. I believe if you see God in the little things you can grow in your relationship with Him and be uplifted to face the challenges of life on this earth.
The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 1:20 says, “From the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what he has made.” They say you can learn a lot about an artist by observing his art, but unlike an artist who creates from an observation God created from nothing. We are moved by great works of art such as Claude Monet’s “Water Lilies” but nothing compares to the original artist work; just ask my daughter. God reveals himself through his creation and we are blessed.
So, in this time of isolation and uncertainty we can find hope and peace through God’s creation. I encourage you to pause and look up at the clouds like a child and see God’s artwork in the skies. Pause and look at the complexity and beauty of the maple leaf and be reminded of God handiwork.
Maria might have summed it up best in the Sound of Music when she sang[1]:
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things
Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things
When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel so bad
Take the time to see God in the little things and you will be blessed and reminded that things are not so bad. God Bless!
[1] Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Favorite Things. Williamson Music, 1959
The Chaplain's Anvil 