Every year, since before Theo and I were married, we have driven to the sunflower field right outside of Yellow Springs. It has become a fun family tradition- one that I ADORE and one that Theo HATES. LOL. Just being honest. Thankfully, he still goes along with it because he loves me.
This year, the family that owns the sunflower field decided to not plant their sunflower field due to COVID-19. This makes perfect sense, as their field tends to draw large crowds for the two or so weeks that it is in bloom. But, I was crushed. Theo was overjoyed.
It just felt like one more thing that the pandemic was robbing us of. One more thing that I look forward to that I no longer get to look forward to. I know that we have each had those types of disappointments this year. I mean, on one hand- its just a sunflower field. It’s 20 minutes of sweating, trying to avoid being stung by a bee, and forcing everyone to smile for the camera. Missing the sunflower fields is not a big deal compared to other things that are going on in the world. But on the other hand- it feels kind of like the straw that broke the camels back. We have had to give up on so many things this year- and the sunflower fields feel like they should be our one semblance of normalcy and hope.
So when my friend Jess texted me to let me know that there was a different sunflower field in bloom, I knew that I had to go! Theo was working so I just took the kids and went! This sunflower field was much smaller than the one we usually frequent, but it was beautiful all the same!
The kids spotted a playground across the street and were NOT interested in taking more pictures with the sunflowers. I forced them to take a few more pictures but for the most part they chose to not participate.
I’m so so thankful for the little things this year. Like being able to go to a sunflower field and soak in the beauty of God’s creation. So many things have been “taken away” from us this year, but not God’s grace and His goodness.
“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27“And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28“And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32“For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27“And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28“And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32“For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6:25-34