Sunflowers

“In a way, nobody sees a flower—really—it is so small—we haven’t time---and to see takes time like to have a friend takes time. 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. 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.” -Georgia O’Keeffe

Recently, I took the time to see this field of sunflowers, which somebody planted big. Row upon row of bright yellow, heads lifted toward the sun, roots drawing nourishment from the rich, fertile soil by the shores of Seneca Lake. Aren’t they spectacular? At a time when there is much angst and anxiety about the problems of our nation and world, in the midst of the quest for Olympic gold, while politicians argue over who has the right solutions, these flowers are quietly standing tall. Could they be seen as a sign of earth’s abundance? Do they invite your heart to gratitude? Or, perhaps they speak to you of the power that may be evoked, whether by the fortitude of a single, solitary individual or by the solidarity of the one standing among the many. Are they the ‘lilies of the field’ of which Jesus spoke, that neither toil nor spin, but are clothed by God? What do you see in a field of sunflowers?

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,

Cheryl

P.S. If you click on the photograph, you can see it, full size.