Thankfulness for the Rain

Open your mouths with thanks! Sing praises to the Eternal!
    Strum the harp in unending praise to our God. 

Who blankets the heavens with clouds,
    sends rain to water the thirsty earth,

and pulls up each blade of grass upon the mountainside.

Psalm 147:7-8 (Voice)

Heavy clouds hovered overhead and cast a grayness over the lake. From my patio seat, I noticed a hummingbird return after many days to nearly barren plants. His thin beak dipped into the two remaining blooms. 

            Normal summer showers had bypassed my area for weeks. When raindrops dotted the glassy lake, I stopped reading and cherished the long-awaited shower. I enjoyed the welcome rain which enhanced my devotional time on the patio. Random drops created circles all over the lake. Sheets of rain brought a deluge from the opposite shore to my shoreline. Breezes tossed watery beads onto the screen where they clung tightly and waited for the sparkle of sunshine.  

            Drips hit the gutter like a telegraph message. With eyes closed, I listened to a symphony of water sounds. A crescendo and decrescendo of rain came as though a conductor raised and lowered his baton. Tiny drops added a gentle percussion. 

            During a seasonal rain, I probably would have stayed inside and not noticed the nuances of the storm. Perhaps, I would have complained at a disruption in outside activities. 

            However, the end of the drought brought thankfulness and joy while I watched the refreshment of my yard . It reminded me of God’s provision and faithfulness for us too. He knows and supplies our needs. 

            Our complicated lives bring periods of sadness, uncertainty, and despair. Likewise, we delight in times of joy, peace and hope when we depend on Jesus. 

            Like a child who forgets to say “Thank you”, we often neglect to show gratitude for our blessings. 

King Jesus, thank you for rain and sunshine, along with times of tranquility and trials. Each one teaches and brings us closer to You. Amen 

Fly Like a Butterfly

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Romans 12: 12-13 NIV

Twenty-eight days to make a difference with only fourteen days as an adult. That is the life of a monarch butterfly.

            During their season in my area, each day I look for teeny eggs and tiny caterpillars. Within my three butterfly cages, they have plenty of milkweed and are protected from predators. 

I enjoy watching them develop and finally release them into the world. Their orange and black wings glisten in the sunlight as they fly around the yard. Females land on one milkweed plant after another to lay eggs.  

            They zoom to trees and then land on red and purple flowers in my garden. Their fragile wings allow them to dance with the breezes. I love watching them enjoy their brief lives.  

            Although they have no idea their lives will be short, the lovely creatures make the most of each day. What joy I get in helping them survive and then observe them flying around my yard. 

            Likewise, we have no idea how long our lifespans will be. As my birthdays accumulate, I want to make the most of each day and not lament that I am getting older. I desire to live joyfully like my butterfly friends. 

            At some point, the little creatures will die, but their offspring will continue the cycle as part of God’s creation.

            The same is true for us. Enjoy life while we can. Don’t get bogged down in fears. Have fun and leave a joyful legacy for our family and friends. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for teaching us through your creation. Help us be joyful and make the most of each day.

Amen

       

Away from the World

 

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Psalm 91: 1-2 NIV

 

Dragonfly wings sparkled in the sunlight as they zoomed above the lake and among plants along the shoreline. 

            After freezing winter temperatures, masses of dead foliage marred the beauty of my view. Armed with a rake, trimmers and my two hands, I toiled for hours getting rid of the ugly mess. My cousin, who was visiting from Indiana, cleaned out a section too. 

            Our efforts paid off. Lush plants with white flower spires rose along the shore and help clean the lake. 

            An expanded flower garden enticed butterflies with yellow, pink, purple and orange blooms. The insects fluttered from one bloom to another and landed on milkweed leaves to lay eggs. 

            Three deer ambled from the woods and then disappeared into another forest. 

            When distressing news captures my attention and tries to hold me hostage, my lakeside retreat calms me. 

            Time with God each morning anchors me for the day. At first, I add items to my gratitude journal. The list grows and grows. Then comes notations in my prayer journal with people close to me and also, needs around the world. 

            Praying and reading the Bible brings me back to God’s world. Immersing myself in His awesome creation, reminds me that He is in control and I am not. 

            When I see the way He made flowers, deer, insects, trees … and cares for them, I am in awe. If God can take a dot sized egg and make a magnificent Monarch butterfly, I realize He can do much more than I can even imagine. 

            My weary, burdened mind is changed every day when I take time with Jesus. 

Creator, help us lean on You and not the world. As we appreciate what You have made, bring us closer to You. 

Amen