Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
“Rejoice!” writes the apostle Paul to the Philippians as he sits in house arrest. “I will say it again. Rejoice!” (Phil 4:4)
Does that make you think a little of where we have been in recent weeks and months? In house arrest? Things have greatly improved. We’re starting to go out more and more, staying a safe distance from others.
Paul’s letter urges the Philippians—and us too—to think about all that is good. “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable.” As I read those lines, my mind went to the cheerful words from the well-known Sound of Music. “Raindrops on roses…these are a few of my favourite things.”
If you were to try and think of your favourite things, what would they be? Mine would be raindrops—not on roses but on tulips.
The idea of rain brings forth negative thoughts for most of us. So does house arrest. But both of these can have positives attached to them. Look at all the inspiring words that came from Paul while he was imprisoned. And look at what I’ll tell you about the fun I’ve had in the rain.
In the spring of 2014 my husband and I visited the Keukenhof tulip gardens in Holland. It was the best kind of day a photographer could ask for. Bright skies with a light spray of rain. Not so much rain that we got uncomfortably wet but enough to leave water droplets on the flowers. Raindrops on flowers—especially tulips and roses—create something especially beautiful. Raindrops bring flowers to life.
The picture I include here is one of the numerous varieties of tulips that can be found at Keukenhof. Many, like this one, don’t even look like tulips.
I like what Paul has to tell us about the prayerful attitude we should try to have in whatever situations we find ourselves.
He says, “.in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7)
May God’s peace be with you all.
marja
If you liked those thoughts, you might also enjoy this happy song from The Sound of Music. Remember Raindrops on Roses? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IagRZBvLtw
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