Butterfly Prayer

Pause, open your arms to soak in strength from God before you face the day.

In late October it is chilly here in my part of the world. So chilly that the hummingbirds have headed to warmer parts of the world and the rest of us are pulling out long sleeves and sweaters to ward off the chillbumps. The maple trees have already dropped almost half their leaves to blanket their roots for the coming winter.

Meanwhile, this little guy finds himself a sunny spot and silently opens his wings. I thought at first he was posing for a picture, but I realized he purposely landed in a sunbeam and was simply soaking in the warmth. Isn't that a beautiful picture? Not of the butterfly, but of how we can live. Life all around us may be cold and harsh, but we can always come to Him and find comfort and strength.

I watched him for a few minutes as he gathered his strength for his mission and then fluttered to the pickerel reed and the Mexican petunias and some wildflowers (I refuse to call them "weeds') that are still bravely blooming. He was created for a mission, and he was brilliant enough to pause to soak in what he needed before he faced the day.

I am guilty of rushing into the day headlong sometimes, and I can tell you it leads to a frustrating tizzy (Southern for "discombobulated") kind of a day, maybe you are too. What if we dollowed the example of this butterfly? What if you and I opened our arms up to the One who created us, and paused to soak in His Word to strengthen and encourage us for the path God has set before us today?

Come'on! Let's do!

Father,
I look to You today first and foremost. I do not know what the day ahead holds for me, so I pause and remember that rather than looking at the problems down here I need to "Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the [fn]strength of His power, Not one of them is missing...Yet those who [fn]wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." Isaiah 40:26,31

Thank You for strengthening me. Help me to focus on You and be obedient to You. I trust You and love You, and pray these things in Jesus' name,
Amen.

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Miss Polly, the Caterpillar

Miss Polly, the caterpilllar

She is as prettty as they come, don't you think? She is a grand caterpillar, plump and colorful! Her full name is Anamalia Arthropoda Insecta Lepidoptera Papilionidae Papilionini Papilio P. polyxenes. I call her Miss Polly. You may too, if you like.

Her story began right here in my back yard, on a nice stand of fragrant heirloom dill. (She doesn't know I planted it just for her but, that's OK.)

It was a warm day in June (aren't they all) when her mother laid her there. After about a week of being a baby, she "hatched" into a tiny black larvae - her childhood. I first noticed Miss Polly when she entered her young adult time as a caterpillar. She was bright yellow/green with luxurious black stripes that accentuated her curves in all the right places. Her numerous (although stubby) legs were just right for holding a fancy little caterpillar onto a dill stem.

Miss Polly, the caterpillar,
ready to leave her caterpillar life behind.

I marvelled for a good two weeks at her beauty and voracious appetite. Then, just as God designed, the time came. She was about to leave her brothers and sisters and she knew it. Her itty bitty legs took her all the way down the dill to a new place, somewhere she had never been before. She found a good sturdy stick from a neighboring daylily and bravely climbed into this new territory. Her time had come.

She knew she was about to let go of this life, and prepared for it. I watched as she rubbed her face against the stem and released a silken lasso that attached to the stem. She put her head through the loop of the lasso and scooted it down to just the right segment. She also released a silken pad for a posterior anchor.

Miss Polly in her chrysalis.

After she had the lasso in just the right spot, the time came to surrender to the inevitable. She was leaving her caterpillar life. No more munching on tender dill strands with her family. That part of her life was over. In faith, she released her legs from the stem and allowed the lasso hold her. Her faith was rewarded. Now it was time for the transition to begin.

July 19 she set herself on the stick. The next morning, she was encased in this chrysalis of a casket. Her earth-bound caterpillar life was behind her.

Nine days later - she emerged from her temporary casket. No longer a pudgy caterpillar, she emerged a lovely long-legged beauty with glorious wings! It only took her about an hour to dry out her brand-new wings, say goodbye, and take flight.

Miss Polly just out of her chrysalis,
ready to begin her new life.

She is still the same little girl of a caterpillar that I visited over the course of her lifetime yet, she is now different! That part of her life, limited to crawling less than three feet off the ground, is over! She has a new life, with wings to fly her wherever her little heart desires! I seriously doubt that Miss Polly's caterpillar friends are grieving over her. They are probably rejoicing at her new life; full, free, and glorious!

I have several decades under my belt, and have watched the process over and over. Maybe you have too. We are born. We grow. We change.  We all change.

My friend, we are all destined to leave this earth. Whether we die before Christ comes or we are changed when He comes, the time will come for each of us to let go of this part of our lives and be changed into an eternal state. Read a part of 1 Corinthians 15 here. The question is where do we go from here? What happens next?

As a Christian (one who has placed full trust and faith in Christ Jesus as Savior) my next life, the eternal one, will be with Him (read part of 1 Thessalonians 4 here).  I have given Him my life and have trusted Him with the details of how it will play out. Meanwhile, I will do my very best to be obedient to Him while I am still here. When He decides the time has come for me to begin my new/eternal life, He will prepare and eqip me for the transition. Any casket will be temporary. My new body will be glorified yet, still me.

Those who have not accepted Jesus the Christ as their personal Savior will also wake up to an eternal life. Theirs will be one of everlasting torment. (2 Thessalonians, When He comes reward and retribution, Mark 9, fire never quenched, Rev 21, lake of fire and brimstone, second death.)

Truths you and I can see from God and Miss Polly;

• We are alive now.
• This life is temporary.
• God determines our days.
• God designed and equips me for every stage.
• This body will be left behind and we will be changed (while still ourselves.)
• The next part of our life is eternal.
• I can trust God with my today and my eternity. You can too.

Dear Father in Heaven,
I marvel at Your truths You demonstrate in all of Your Creation! How blessed I am to see Your hand at work all around me everyday. Thank You for the example of this little butterfly. Her faith is a powerful example to me. 

I pray for those grieving today. I pray that they will remember the butterfly as an example of the eternal life of a Christian, and let their grief be covered with joy. I know it won't remove their pain but, I pray You will give them joy through their pain, just as You have comforted me in my suffering so many times.

I pray today for those reading this, that they will be assured of Your presence in their lives. I pray that every one of them will know You as their personal Savior and have the promise of eternity with You. 

For those who have not yet come to know You, I pray You will make Yourself known to them right now, in a very real way. 

I trust You in every aspect of my life here on Earth and my life to come, with You. I pray today that I will be faithful to do that which You have created me to do. I pray I will be obedient to You and Your will for my life. When the time comes for me to leave this life, I will trust You with that too.

I pray all these things in Jesus' precious name.

~~~

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~~~

For more faith-filled stories, and one precious hummingbird I named Oscar,

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Butterfly Promises

Butterfly who endured and emerged.

It was near the end of a long and extremely cold winter that I found this capsule of hope – a butterfly chrysalis. We enjoy having butterflies in our north Alabama back yard. I entice them with parsley, dill, buddleia (butterfly bush), pickerel reed, salvia, and all things blooming. In return, they entertain us with their beauty as they flit and flutter around digging in to all the bloomers. At times we are most handsomely rewarded with one alighting on us, but usually just admire them from a respectful distance. Their incredibly lovely wings are unimaginably delicate, yet are still used as their traveling shoes – arms - wings.  

Their favorite meals include the afore mentioned dill. I also like dill, and was a bit annoyed to find the little black spots on “my” plants. Then when I saw them a few day later and they were moving, I jumped into action.  In all honesty, I didn’t jump but, I did investigate.  When the findings were in, and I saw that the specks would end up a butterflies, I jumped for joy! Actually, I didn’t jump, but I did change my course of action. Instead of exterminating, I chose facilitating.  I planted more dill and their second favorite, parsley.  They flourished and we had cheap entertainment all summer!

1. Chrysalis enduring the winter.

Their life cycle involves the eggs being laid on some delicious foliage, then as they hatch they devour the delicious foliage and grow into the most lovely, fat, green, segmented, worms. Well, actually, larvae. They eat and grow to their little heart’s delight until the appointed day arrives. The day of rest. All their preparatory eating would enable them to endure this next part. The rest. Miraculously (it has to be a God thing) they know to crawl up and attach themselves to something sturdy, and form into this chrysalis. 

This period of rest and transformation varies with species and season. This particular chrysalis was found after months of harsh, record-breaking cold. There had been no butterfly sightings in months, and the outer part of the pod looked suspiciously dark. I commented to my husband that it either didn’t survive the winter or was about to hatch. 

With the possibility in mind that it might hatch at any time, I kept a close vigil. At least once a day I checked on the little guy, hopeful. I was rewarded with the sight of a freshly hatched beauty! It was at night, and he was just barely out of the shell and into this new phase of his life. Eager to document the arrival, I took several pictures hoping the flash didn’t startle him. He didn’t seem to mind. I marveled that such a small creature could survive the winter that we all grumbled about while huddling around our heaters. We had food and shelter and griped about it while he silently sat outside, alone for months, trusting that God knew what He was doing. It would be OK. Just wait.

Winter comes every year, but life is somewhat unpredictable. We know to plan for the cold, but how do we plan for life? What do we do when it seems we are abandoned in the turmoil? Here are some great promises onto which believers in Christ can hold!

• Count it all joy. God reminds us that our various trials are for our good. He is always there with us, and will only allow what is good for us. Note that I didn’t say what we like but, what is for our good. (James 1- read verse 2 ) 

• Tests of our faith produces endurance. If we are to finish the race (life) set before us, we need perseverance. In order to learn how to persevere we have to practice it and, build it up like a muscle to make it strong.

• When we don’t know what to do, ask God. Knowledge can be found everywhere. Everywhere there are opinions, surveys, and theories about how you can do or resolve one thing or another. The only source for true wisdom however, is from God. (James 1 read verse 5) He is our first and best resource. (If an opinion disagrees with His word, that is a faulty opinion.) Note: Listen to the voice of experience - griping doesn’t help.

• Blessings await those who persevere under trials. (Hint – it is worn on your head). Even though the winter was long and hard, spring came. (James 1 read verse 12)

• Life is but a vapor and you will leave your shell. Use this time to grow into something far more beautiful than you were. When we accept Christ, we walk in newness of life, leaving behind our “old flesh.” (Romans 6 read verse 4) This new walk will be with incredibly beautiful wings – Christ living in us!

Father, how precious are Your promises! We struggle with many hardships during our time on Earth. Thank You for holding us through these trials and reminding us we are not alone. Thank You for hearing our prayers and equipping us to endure life. Thank you for demonstrating to us through this butterfly that the trial isn’t the end of the story. Help us to share these wonderful truths as we walk today.  

Precious reader, I know life is full of challenges. 

I encourage you today to hold on, and hold on to Him. 

The promises listed above are found in James 1, and Romans 6. 

Study and hold on to them to give you strength for the process.  

If God has held you through a hard time, 

will you share here how He helped you through?

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Butterflies, Spiders, and Brides

Butterfly lunch

I don't recall having met anyone who is not captivated by butterflies.  These once ‘ugly duckling’ pudgy caterpillars have been transformed into delicate airborne ballerinas.  Their fluttering wings are oft adorned with magnificent color and patterns.  When graced with one lighting on your finger, they truly captivate your attention during their up-close meeting.  This light as a feather little creature gives only a little tickle to our skin, so we have no fear of their touch as we often have with other flying insects.   [Side note; I can do a mean wasp dance, but that is another story!]  They are simply a delight to behold.

With that in mind, specific blooming shrubs, and flowers have been planted in our yard to attract butterflies and hummingbirds and so we often get to watch the butterfly show.   The beauty in this picture was alight in our Limelight Hydrangea bush, so I quietly and slowly approached to get a look and was able to get this gorgeous creature on camera.  But, I sensed something was wrong when he didn't move, and his legs were facing me rather than the bush, and seemed to be upside down.  I brushed his wings a bit, and got no response.  Poor little guy.  He must have died and fallen just right into the flower so as to be caught.  It was a pretty picture, but I wondered what happened to him to have died in this manner.   Still intrigued, I broke off the limb with him still attached and placed them both on a grapevine wreath under the cover of the back porch, delighted with my new “arrangement” on the potting table.

Butterfly caught unaware

Later that day, I was amazed to see his wings moving and called out to my husband to “come see!”  My amazement compounded when I saw why his wings were moving.  They were not moving on his power but because of the spider behind him, who was doing what spiders do – I’ll spare you the graphic details.  I had not seen the spider hiding in the flower before, and obviously neither did Mr. Butterfly.  This spider was camouflaged perfectly to blend in with the flower, and attacked in a moment when Mr. B thought he was safely having a peaceful lunch, and so his life ended suddenly and unexpectedly. 

If it looks like a flower, and smells like a flower it ought to be good, right?  Although the flower offered something good, lurking inside was a thief, looking to take a life.  I tend to be like Mr. B, maybe you are too.  When all is well, and seems safe and peaceful, we forget to be on guard, neglecting to consult with God, and instead just living our lives on our own, oblivious to the dangers around us.  That is not the desire of our Father for us.  He wants to lead us beside green pastures, and quiet waters, guiding us in the paths of righteousness so we will fear no evil.  Did you catch that? He does not want you to be afraid, but we are warned however, to “be on alert”.   

Look closely to see the spider
lying in wait, perfectly camouflaged,
for another victim.

Matthew 24:42  ,44 “Be on alert for you do not know which day your Lord is coming…for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”

1 Thessalonians 5:2-6  “ You know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.  While they are saying, ‘Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.  But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day.  We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.”

Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.”

Our Father wants us to know Him, and has given us insight into His character and many of the things that are to come. I urge you to study His program manual – The Holy Bible – and seek out the things He wants you to know so that you will walk in His ways, be aware and not be afraid.

Today my friends, I pray we will use this day wisely, diligently praying in an attitude of thanksgiving, conducting ourselves with wisdom, seeking the will of our Father in every aspect of our lives and constantly bearing in mind the coming day (ever closer and closer) when He returns for His bride!

I would be very pleased to hear from you today about how you are watching, waiting and witnessing His hand at work! Will you share your story?

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For more faith-filled stories, including a hummingbird I named Oscar ...

click here to read the first chapter and see a video trailer.

You can find Oscar at the following online retailers...
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Westbow Press, a division of Thomas Nelson and Zondervan

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