Contemplative photography is about noticing, marvelling, and worship. Anyone can do it, honestly- all you need is a camera (or smartphone) and sensitivity. Plus patience to learn how to see what is really there.
This plant is found on both sides of the footpath. It stands about 18 inches tall, and has a flattened “umbrella” shape of tiny white flowers that hoverflies and beetles find irresistible. If you look VERY closely at the photo, there is a very small hoverfly (or beetle?) you might spot on the left hand side! Take a bonus point if you find it.
I viewed the flowers from directly above. That kept all the flowers in the same plane of focus, and shows the “spokes” of the umbrella. Most intriguing to me is the small crimson bit in the exact centre. At first, I thought it might be an insect or stray debris – then I looked at the other nearby specimens. They all had the same central structure. I’m not a botanist, so I looked it up on the Royal Horticultural Society website when I returned home. It is the “stigma,” the female part of the reproduction system, which collects pollen. That’s enough of the science.
So I looked, and noticed; it was something unexpected and beautiful, and I was full of wonder at the small perfection on what is essentially a wild plant. Usually only of interest to pollinators!
God caused these plants to come into being; and ensured their survival with a detailed structure of patterned beauty. Now, I can understand the attention to detail in roses or a passion flower! They are stunning. But a weed? How marvellous it is that God puts crimson bits in the small white flowers that almost everyone ignores. I received a few funny looks from walkers passing by: a big bloke with a big camera “wasting” time on weeds and insects, what a weirdo!
Yet I didn’t worry about them. I’d found a crimson invitation to worship the One who conceived this plant in His imagination, then spoke “it” into being, then proclaimed “It is good.” It’s their loss to not notice what is in plain view.
I have been coming back to this picture all day. Symmetry, detail, colour, and the “fingerprint” of the Creator. All this combines to lead me to worship the Almighty God who overloads the world with signposts of love and majestic power. How can I not praise and thank Him for such generous blessing everywhere I look?
If God cares so much about little flowers, insects, a working ecosystem… How much MORE does He care for us? Humanity, “made in the image of God,” loved and redeemed, forgiven and reconciled, invited to worship, and allowed into the Holy Presence.
He IS worthy of our praise.
How about going for a wander of wonder? Look carefully, notice something you’ve never noticed before, marvel at God’s goodness, and wander into a state of worship… As Jesus said, “Seek- and you shall find.”
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Matthew 7:7-8
The Reflectionary 