“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.”
-- Luke 12:27

What a fun command – Jesus directs us to “consider the lilies.” He doesn’t tell us to simply look at the lilies or glance at them but to “consider the flowers of the fields.” In Greek “κατανοέω,” to consider, means to perceive, observe, understand, fix one's eyes or mind upon. Artists help us in this endeavor because they are masters in creating works that allow us to pause and see the ordinary in extraordinary ways.

The works of Georgia O’Keeffe, an American artist known for her paintings of enlarged flowers, captures the detailed essence of blossoms. Her masterful paintings of beautiful flowers awaken the intricate beauty within each petal. "If I could paint the flower exactly as I see it no one would see what I see because I would paint it small like the flower is small," O'Keeffe explained. "So I said to myself – I'll paint what I see – what the flower is to me but I'll paint it big and they will be surprised into taking time to look at it – I will make even busy New Yorkers take time to see what I see of flowers.”

Our preschool children in the Westminster Early Childhood Education Program have been considering flowers during the art enrichment programs. Art gives all of us the ability to see God’s creation through a wider lens. The children have been learning about famous artists and their techniques. Then, the children create works of art in the style of those artists. Some of the children’s beautiful creations of art are featured below. Notice how the children interpreted Monet’s waterlilies for themselves.

In the coming weeks of summer, we will find flowers all around. They become commonplace. Another pink rose, a bothersome dandelion, an ordinary peace lily. What if we take the time to pause and consider the flowers – to delve into the creative side, to marvel at the color, the texture, the beauty given to us?

The instructions from the Lord are directed toward flowers, but we can apply them to all areas of life. Take time to consider the gifts given. Do we pause to cherish the blessings of love and hope provided to us on a daily basis? As we emerge from the time of COVID, we see simple pleasures such as a hug or a handshake or even a smile as a treasure. Offer a prayer. Thanks be to God, the ultimate artist who lavishes upon us gifts to continually be discovered.

Together on the journey,

Louise