I love flowers. I’m horrible at growing them and keeping them alive, but I love them. With their emergence, they bring tidings of new life and warmer days. They are beautiful without trying to be beautiful. They don’t worry about how nice they look, or if they have enough petals of the right color for the season. They just are what God created them to be. I have a lot to learn from flowers.
Matthew 6:28-29 states, “Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them.”
So in an effort to learn from the flowers, I am giving up clothes for Lent. ::gasp:: Before you all lose your minds, I will not be running around naked for forty days. Inspired by Jen Hatmaker’s book 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, I have chosen seven items of clothing that I will be wearing for the next forty days. As I picked out my seven items, I was overwhelmed with how much stuff I have. I have a lot of stuff, ya’ll! I hate to hear people call themselves blessed because of their wealth and possessions. It implies that people who have less, are somehow less blessed. I believe everyone is blessed in different ways. The wealth is not the blessing. The opportunities it opens for serving God are.
As a part of my Lenten journey, I will also be seeking out clothing related service projects and volunteer opportunities every week. I have more clothes than I need, but worrying about clothing is a very real struggle for a lot of people. Being made aware of excess in one’s own life should not be just a time to feel guilty and gluttonous, but a rallying cry to serve those whom Jesus calls us to serve.
So here goes nothing! I’m excited about the journey ahead. Spoiler alert! If you see me in the next forty days, this is what I’ll be wearing.
Learning From Flowers 