Last week as I was driving to pick up my Mom, I drove past two small retention ponds. One of them has had water lilies for a few (or maybe several) years now so I always look for them. This time, however, I was amazed at how enormous and beautiful they were! I could not even see any water in the pond. It was totally covered with the lily pads. They were so beautiful that on our way back down that road, we pulled off and I got out and took a picture of them. Of course the photo from my phone does not do them justice but I hope you get a glimpse of how beautiful they are. It reminded me of God’s message to us in both Matthew and Luke which reminds us not to worry. Here’s the Luke version: “Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith”! (Luke 12:27-28) Not only can and does God grow things in the soil, He grows them in the water. The common thing is that all living things need a root system for growth. The same is true of us. We need to be rooted in Christ in order to grow. And, we have to read His Word to be fed so that we can mature to our full potential, just like these beautiful water lilies.

I am constantly thrilled with the beauty God took time to create that we get to enjoy. Nature is amazing and we so often take it for granted. Plants, grasses, harvest, flowers, clouds, sunrises, sunsets and another thing I saw last week, rainbows. Here’s what God says about the nature He created in Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” We don’t have to look far to see God! There is no other explanation for life. Only God!

If we neglect to praise God as Creator, here’s what Jesus says will happen. “I tell you, he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:40). Take a look outside at the beauty our Creator has given us and don’t forget to thank and praise Him. We certainly don’t want to leave it up to the stones!  ENJOY creation! He wants us to!