My favorite flower, daffodils, are in full bloom here in North Texas. Lots of people like daffodils because they are harbingers of spring and the release from winter’s cold grip. However, my love of daffodils began years ago in a high school English literature class, partly due to a terribly boring series of essays we’d been reading—and I mean booooring. When we finally finished that section in the textbook, I turned the page. A stunning photo of a field of golden daffodils introduced a poem by Wordsworth. One thin page had transported me from awful essays to interesting poems—they really were much, much better than the essays. We’d moved from parched desert to lush fields, so to speak, and I’ve loved daffodils ever since.
Yesterday, I took this photo at Dallas Baptist University, where I’ve been feasting my eyes on the flowers for a week or two. Happily, the deep freeze didn’t damage them.
Next will come regal irises and a plethora of wildflowers: bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, pink primroses, and red clover, to name a few. Since I don’t have a green thumb, I’m particularly appreciative of the wildflowers that sprout up without all that gardening effort.
Another reason for loving daffodils and all the rest of these flowers is their connection to one of my favorite Scripture passages, Matthew 6:28-33. Jesus asked His followers why they tended to worry about such things as clothing when the Heavenly Father arrays the short-lived wildflowers with more beauty than that of a king’s robes. Truly, no clothes from even a ritzy store like Niemen Marcus can match a flower’s artistry.
Next time you get a chance, look at a daffodil up close, take a whiff of spring itself, and be reminded of its Creator, the ultimate Artist.
Ann,
Thank you for the post about ( and the beautiful photo of) daffodils. I, too, love the first signs of the spring season that the daffodils afford us. My favorite color is yellow, so the yellow daffodils are especially beautiful to me. I am also looking forward to the other wildflowers that will soon blanket the highway embankments, pastures, etc. I become very excited when I see the first bluebonnets “spring” up, usually in mid to late March, or sometimes as late as the 1st of April. Coming back from a “turnaround” trip to Fredericksburg during Spring Break, my daughter and I noticed the infant beginnings of our state’s flower all along the roadsides of Highway 281. Yesterday, I saw some bluebonnets waving in the breeze, just down the street from where I live. Truly, wildflower season in Texas is a feast for the eyes.
The scripture you named ~ Matthew 25: 26 and following is especially precious to me. I tell people that it is my rhema. Many, many years ago, when trying to decide if I would return to the classroom after my 1st child was born or trust God to take care of us for her 1st year of life, this is the scripture that God gave me. I was asleep, and the scripture came to me in a dream. Sadly, I didn’t know it by heart, and I didn’t immediately know its content. I immediately woke up, picked up my Bible, and went to the living room (so that I could turn on a light without disturbing anyone else) and found the scripture. I knew that these words were the answer to my question. Even though I did have to do some substitute teaching (which was truly even more lessons from the Lord), I did not teach full- time for the next few years. I had some part-time jobs, etc. but I did not return to the classroom full-time until my 2nd daughter was a few months old. God took very good care of me and my growing family.
I still claim that scripture today. My circumstances have drastically changed, of course; yet, my Heavenly Father continues to provide for me abundantly. I am forever grateful to Him and to His precious Word that reminds us of His daily, heavenly provision for our lives.
Thanks again for your post and for this wonderful reminder of the mighty God we serve.
Thanks, Kathy, for the great reply – a real encouragement to seek answers from the Lord and to count on His trustworthiness! And I’m going to be on the lookout for bluebonnets.
I love reading your posts, which are spiritual nourishments to me.
I’m really glad to hear from you, Valley! You have frequently been in my thoughts!
Thanks for showcasing one of spring’s graces- I would wander the hills of DBU every spring when I was there and enjoy the gorgeous display. At that time they were mostly wildflowers; we didn’t have so many ornamental beds, or half as many buildings! I love your poetry and proverbs section, as well as your devotionals, faithfully pointing people to the Lord as you have for so many years. It was great seeing and talking with you on Monday 🙂
Thanks for your comment, Joanna. I really enjoyed our time together, too! It was great to reminisce and share visions for the future!