At the far edge of the pasture's eastern boundary - along the barbwire fence where no one but a wannabe psalmist with a camera sees - a handful of black-eyed Susans crack the parched soil to reach for the sun.
Their hairy stems push through thirsty ground tall and straight - as their leaves bristled and dipped in rust peel back from the buds' concentric cores.
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:3-4 ESV
And when all the leaves have peeled away, the lutescent rays wait quietly and patiently for their choreographed unfurling.
But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:6 ESV
And there's no audience. No applause. Not even a "good job, black-eyed susans."
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:17-18 ESV
Three times Jesus says it. Three times.
And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
I want to be like a black-eyed susan - pushing through hard soil, reaching for heaven, getting out of the way for others to shine, and moving in the gifts and works for which I've been created - in the secret places where no one sees.
Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 6:1 ESV
