Finding Joy and Purpose

The one who listens to me, who carefully seeks me in everyday things and delays action until my way is apparent, that one will find true happiness. (Proverbs 8:34, The Voice)

Swirling mist blurred vibrant reflections on the mirrored lake. Minutes later, little clouds dissipated and an up-side-down forest glowed on the water. 

            Cypress limbs, heavy with last night’s rain, drooped like a weary traveler. Water diamonds gathered on the patio screen and waited to twinkle in the sun. 

            A couple of trees in the forest glowed a brilliant green, but shadows subdued the rest of the woods. 

            Despite the somber mood, cheerful birds sang melodious tunes. A spider web glistened from one limb to another of my oak tree. 

            Isolation brought changes both favorable and unfavorable. For months, I stayed home alone. Normal activities stopped, but I discovered uplifting shows on television. My car rested but biking surged. Walking provided daily exercise. 

            During the pandemic, my time enjoying nature from my patio increased. A collection of birds appeared daily from a tiny hummingbird to majestic eagles. An abundance of vivid flowers graced my garden. My time with God each morning became richer and more bountiful as my faith grew. 

            After days of jumping from one activity to another with little focus, I wrote a lengthy to-do list. Gradually, the list grew smaller. Along with chores like cleaning the garage and purging files, I read many books, and returned to long forgotten crafts. With two butterfly cages, I became fascinated with the metamorphosis of Monarch butterflies.  Even though the Internet kept me connected to the world. But cards and phone calls to  family and friends relieved loneliness. Leisurely days, continued for several weeks. 

            Then Zoom enterer my life with three Bible studies, writers’ group meetings, writing critique sessions, and board meetings. Local charities needed supplies so I braved the virus, donned my homemade mask, and ventured out. After weeks of free time, suddenly, I needed a schedule.  

            When the sun rose and light replaced shadows, life around the lake changed. Likewise, opening up our country took me into a new phase. 

            Living in isolation restyled my life in positive and negative ways. Although I missed being with family and friends, I enjoyed a less complicated way of life. 

            Decisions await. Will I return to an often-hectic schedule or cut back on some activities? Will I continue pursuits I actually enjoy or hang on to stressful obligations? Will I remove the insignificant to concentrate on the significant? 

            In seclusion, I realized what was most important. Praying for wisdom and direction, reading the Bible, enjoying people I treasure, and serving with the love of Jesus give me joy and purpose. God takes it all and weaves something beautiful. 

Loving Father, thank you for working in my life and revealing your plan for me even in the midst of such change and uncertainty. Amen

Missing Another Miracle

Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.” (John 5: 17 NIV)

Not again. Hour after hour I knelt on my patio floor to examine the small butterfly cage which held two Monarch caterpillars. One hung from the top which signaled it was preparing to form a chrysalis. The second larva crawled along the side with tiny black legs. 

            As day turned into evening, the brightly striped caterpillar darkened. His long body began compressing into a smaller version. He hung up-side-down but his head struggled to look upward. 

            The plastic top of the cage blurred my view but hour after hour I went onto my patio to see its progress. I longed to watch the larva spin a small, green chrysalis around its body. Before bed, I made one last trip outside. Nothing had changed. 

            Just after dawn, I walked to my porch and looked down at the butterfly cage. A green chrysalis hung tightly to the cage. I missed the miracle of transformation. Perhaps the little critter didn’t want to be watched as he wrapped his body into a chrysalis.  

            Even though I missed the conversion from larva to pupa eighteen times, I marveled at the results of metamorphosis every time. The beauty and intricacy of God’s creation filled me with wonder and awe. 

            His miracles occur all around me. Seeds become exquisite flowers. Bare cypress trees fill out in waves of green. Eagles lay eggs and hatch tiny reproductions of themselves. I don’t observe the entire process of those changes either but the results astonish me. 

            Before Alan died, people prayed for his healing. When the doctor predicted six months of life for him, Alan continued living. For two months, he organized, planned and scheduled an array of things so I wouldn’t have to. He shared his faith with friends, family and even the man who brought oxygen to our house. During that time, I watched him move toward heaven as his faith grew. 

            Only later, did I realize how much he prepared for his journey to heaven and for me to live without him. Because he died knowing he would be with Jesus, I also had peace and strength to get through my time of grief. 

            Over and over, God has placed people in my life who are grieving so I can comfort them. During his final months, I didn’t realize all the changes in Alan or myself.  When I look back, I can see how God orchestrated another miracle. 

Dear Father, thank you for loving us and teaching us even when we don’t see it. You are constantly performing miracles. Help us notice small and big ones every day. Amen