Consider the Lilies of the Field

In which I enjoy a Methodist moment. . . 

"And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."  ~ Matthew 6:28-33 KJV

I had a coupon for a free appetizer at Texas Roadhouse that expired the next day, so we went into town for a nice lunch and used it. I had the "Killer Ribs Basket," which was ribs and fries, with a large side of ranch dressing. My husband had a steak dinner. On the way home, he dropped me off by my favorite pond in the Barrens (which is very full indeed!) and I walked around for a while, taking pictures. 

Then I strolled home. I spotted some gorgeous lilies in a neighbor's yard and snapped a few photos. They reminded me of a Bible verse, which I've included above. My soundtrack song is the one based on those verses that we used to sing in summer Bible school as little children. It was easy to harmonize to. I always found the song - and the verse - very hopeful and reassuring.

So that's my tune: Seek Ye First.

"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God
And his righteousness
And all these things shall be added unto you.
Allelu alleluia"

There's a companion song I want to put to this, and here it is: John Michael Talbot and Terry Talbot, with Behold Now the Kingdom. It is a retelling, in verse, of the Beatitudes*, which is a beloved, beloved set of words spoken by Jesus.

"He said blessed are those who are poor
For you shall inherit the kingdom
And blessed be those who are weak
For you shall inherit great strength.
Blessed be those who are children
For you shall be counted as wise.
Blessed be the blind man
For you shall see with new eyes. . . . "

*I just had to come back and add this comment. It may come as little surprise to anybody that these words that Jesus spoke were as poorly received by the Scribes and the Pharisees of his day as they have been in America of late. The threat of removal of healthcare for the poor is a marker of pure evil. To try to save a few dollars in such a manner so that the millionaire and billionaire playboys of this nation can play more golf and get back more of their tax $money$ is a travesty, and I want NO PART of that vision of America. One final word: Be less like the Scribes and Pharisees, my loves, and more like the Rebel Jesus. So there.