Simple: Children

I wrote this after watching my daughter pick flowers during an excursion to a local green space soon after we began self-isolating. Inwardly I was shaky and anxious the whole time about Covid-19, but the outing itself was about as calm and peaceful as you could ask.

During the visit I watched my daughter NOT thinking about Covid-19. She was thinking about flowers. I figured I should take some notes. not because we should look away from the world around us, but because we need more than ever to give steady attention to what is important-- the flowers, the families, the loved ones, and yes, the children, right in front of us.

"Consider"

“Consider the lilies,” He said

“They do not toil or spin

Yet Solomon in all His glory

Was not like one of them.”

I considered her consideration,

All furrowed brow and wonder

With glee she raised her treasures up

From their burial from down under

I considered what she saw

And what, in turn, I saw in her

She saw beauty everywhere

I saw her lack of care

How carelessly she looked aside

Almost ignoring where I was

Absorbed only in consideration

Caring not for what might be, should be, or was

Only in the present moment

Clover her only care

That humble flower bringing pure delight

And joy enough to share

He also said, “You will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven

Unless you change and become like one of these.”

 I know I've often been so grown up

And missed the greater feast

I quietly swore to pay more attention

To her, my flower, among so many

To look for the Kingdom right before me

And consider her consideration.