More Resistant Critters

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper;
    the waves of the sea^[a] were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm,
    and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.

Psalm 107:28-31 NIV

Every few hours, I searched my patio for the butterfly that escaped from the cage. I hoped she had flown through the open door to the outside. 

            Unfortunately, she remained at the top of screen almost to the ceiling. When I attempted to reach her, wings flapped like an out of control fan. 

            Other invaders entered through the wide open door and joined her at the end of my patio. A huge dragonfly buzzed as it tried to propel itself through the screen. A wasp whizzed near me. My trusty broom tried to move the group of insects toward the door. 

            The butterfly moved higher out of my reach. The dragonfly continued buzzing like a miniature saw. I dreaded the wasp who could cause me pain and swelling. All resisted help. 

            With a fly swatter in hand, I eliminated one. Repeatedly, I attempted to maneuver the remaining ones to the outside. Then a second dragonfly dive bombed me from out of nowhere.  He grabbed hold of the screen as I contemplated my dilemma.  

            Should the door remain open as a means of escape for the critters or should it be closed to prevent more unwelcome intruders? 

            As I pondered the situation, the butterfly descended within my reach. She folded her tiny wings so I could gently grasp them and hurried outside before I dropped her. She danced in the wind after the release. 

But once back in the patio, I heard more fluttering not far from the door.  Behind a chair, a second monarch frantically flopped from one spot to another away from me. This time my broom guided it to the nearby door and freedom. One dragonfly zoomed away but the second one continued to elude me. 

With only one insect remaining, I latched the door which prevented his escape. 

When the butterflies broke out of their safe place, they became disoriented and lost in the patio. Then intruders from the outside joined them and added to the confusion. They all gathered close together but with no leader, they floundered. Only one departed on his own but no one followed him. I have no idea what happened to the second dragonfly. 

At times, we might be lost, confused and trapped in difficult situations.  Instead of following a reliable leader and ignoring unsuitable companions who are also befuddled, we remain ensnared.   

Jesus is a rescuer who can still our storms or gently remove us from them.  He doesn’t force us but desires that we obediently follow Him.  

Father, help us to follow your instructions as we follow Jesus who rescues us. Amen