Letting Them Go

 

Train up a child ^[a]in the way he should go,
And even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 (ASV)

 

A screened habit on my patio sheltered green, white and black striped caterpillars. Most clung to milkweed stems after they devoured the leaves. 

 

            Several times a day, I checked on them and added more milkweed. Because of their voracious appetites, they left piles of tiny pellets of poop so I also had to constantly clean out the cages to prevent sickness. 

 

            When I began my butterfly hobby during Covid isolation, I had no idea it would become a daily chore. Even with continual tasks of checking outside milkweed plants for eggs, moving caterpillars into the cages, cleaning habits and supplying food, the results were worth the effort. 

 

            Articles on the internet gave me suggestions on how to care for them as I provided safety, food and a clean environment. 

 

            After the caterpillars became large and chubby, they crawled to the top of the cage, hung up-side-down in a U shape and created a green chrysalis around themselves. To finish the process, a gold ring circled each pupa. 

 

            Every day, I checked the cages to see if the pupa darkened because soon after that, a beautiful orange and black Monarch emerged. Every time a butterfly hatched, I marveled at the wonder of God’s creation. 

 

            The fragile creatures were not ready to fly until their wings dried and they exercised for a few hours in the cage. Only when they kept flapping around did I take them outside to be released. If it was raining or windy, we waited. Of course, sometimes they were anxious to get out but didn’t know of the dangers they would face. 

 

            When allowed to leave most of them took off and soared high. Some were hesitant and didn’t want to leave the comfort of the cage. I had to prod them to cling to my finger. Once free from the enclosure, they normally took off. Occasionally, one would refuse to leave even when I placed it close to flowers. 

 

            Unfortunately, a few were hatched with deformed wings or body. There was nothing I could do to fix it which made me sad. They soon died. 

 

            As the Monarchs flew around my yard, I felt like a parent releasing children. All the work to tend them was worth the final outcome. 

 

            Parents spend years nurturing, protecting, training, and loving children to prepare them for the life God has for them. Even though difficult, there comes a time when they must be released to let them soar. 

 

            Although it can be painful, we pray we have accomplished our purpose as we did our best. Even after children leave our home, our job is not done because prayers continue. 

 

Loving Father, you love and nurture parents so they can do the same for their children. Guide us in all that we do. Amen.  

A Bright Spot in the Gloom

 

Heavy clouds cast a feeling of melancholy around the lake. It blocked sunlight, subdued colorful flowers, and darkened the lake. 

 

            But despite the dreariness, a trio of bees gathered in my orange and white flowers. Blooms dipped as tiny creatures clung to bell shaped flowers. 

 

            Only a few melodies drifted to my patio as most birds remained quiet in the dismal morning. 

 

            After days of rain and little sunshine, I certainly welcomed some brightness. Then he appeared. A bright figure darted from my oak tree to a nearby cypress. The scarlet cardinal provided a bright spot in the gloom. His color made me smile and reminded me that there are other bright spots. 

 

            With so much despair and horrible problems in our world, it is easy to become enmeshed in hopelessness. Knowing and trusting Jesus gives hope, peace and strength for our difficult times. 

 

            When we know Him, we can become bright spots to give hope and encouragement to those around us who worry and are fearful. 

 

Let not your heart be troubled. believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many^]mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:1-3 (ASV)

 

Loving Father, thank you for your promises. Help us trust and follow you so we can share your Word with a desperate world. Amen.  

Unappreciated Thumbs

 

Throbbing pain interrupted my sleep. During the day, it curtailed my normal routine. 

 

            Each day, my right thumb grew larger as it swelled and the redness increased. Every touch caused more torment. Holding a toothbrush. grasping the steering wheel, or holding a pen brought suffering. Every time I used my right hand pain increased. 

 

            When I used my left hand, chores took me forever or I couldn’t do them at all. Unloading the dishwasher took about three times as long as normal. I couldn’t latch a necklace without the right thumb so gave up. 

 

            I stared at the stubby appendage. Compared to my fingers, my thumb looked like a short, chubby finger banished from the group and stuck on the side. 

 

            In reality, the thumb is vital in grasping firmly and adding stability to each task when cooperating with the fingers. 

 

            As I endured discomfort for several days, I marveled at how pain in a small part of my body affected my life. Consumed me. Restricted daily activities. 

 

            The agony and reduced use of my thumb, humbled me. I thought of people with no thumbs or hands. Those who endured intense suffering every day. My inconvenience was minor compared to their trials. 

 

            A trip to the doctor brought a diagnosis and antibiotics for an infection. I no longer wince each time I touch it and am thankful for the red, swollen digit that works diligently when it is healthy. No longer will I ignore it but appreciate every task it handles. 

 

            At church, in businesses, at schools or wherever people gather, there are those in the spotlight. They receive honors, praise and encouragement. 

 

            However in the background, many people quietly go about their work with little encouragement or rewards. They are vital, like my thumb, but often unappreciated. 

 

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”  On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (1 Corinthians 12:21-27 ESV)

 

Loving Father, show us how to appreciate people in the background who keep things going for those upfront. Thank you for them. Also, thank you for designing our bodies with perfect, but sometimes unnoticed, parts. Amen

Standing Strong in the Storm

 

The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. Psalm 28:7 (ASV)

 

 

A predicted cold front brought dark, menacing clouds racing across the sky. Darkness threatened long before dusk. Blustery winds raged. 

 

            When I stepped onto my porch to move furniture to a safer place, I noticed a blue heron standing near the shoreline. He surveyed the lake. The impending weather forced me inside but he remained. 

 

            As the sky darkened, I noticed the blue heron knee deep in water in front of my house. His profile showed a strong, stoic bird. He stood erect and his long bill pointed toward the approaching storm. Wind swayed trees around him. Gusts whipped limbs and ruffled his feathers. Nevertheless, he stood like a statue as if defying the gales to knock him over. 

 

            He didn’t cower or hide. Not a bellow or whimper came from his mouth. He remained calm in the midst of the storm.

 

            While I watched the majestic bird, I thought of the example he displayed of how to face difficulties and storms. Stand firm. Face it. Don’t let it knock you down. 

 

            For over a year, covid and its effects have battered the entire world. Lives, dreams and jobs have been devastated or destroyed. The virus swept away a sense of well being as everyone tried to cope with the invisible enemy. 

 

            Despite the horrific times, Jesus offers hope, love and encouragement to those who know Him. He helps us face the storms, stand strong, and defeat the winds of despair. 

 

            Unfortunately, our world is not back to normal and may never be completely. But as we continue to face storms, we don’t have to do it alone. 

 

Heavenly Father, as we go through storm after storm and think there is no end, we can trust the Holy Spirit to be with us. Hold us up when we falter. Give hope when strength and peace are gone. Show love when the world gives none. Amen 

An Alphabet of Thankfulness

 

“Be thankful in all things.” I read Paul’s instruction as I looked out at another gloomy day. No gorgeous sunrise or fluffy clouds. A series of text messages and emails told of crisis after crisis with family and friends. Be thankful?? 

 

Every day, I write a few things in my gratitude journal, but after reading a chapter of Max Lucado’s book Before Amen: the Power of Simple Prayer, I decided to try his approach. 

 

       He said to find something for each letter of the alphabet either one a day, several at once or the whole list. I decided to complete the entire thing. 

 

A apple a day keeps the doctor away

B bananas give potassium

C chocolate (dark) is good for the heart

D dishwasher makes life easier

E elephants in the wild in Namibia on a mission trip

F flowers that make me smile

G granddaughters who are loving and kind

H heart which the cardiologist says is strong

I internet that keeps me connected 

J job that provided purpose and income for many years

K kitchen where I can cook 

L lawn that forms a carpet around my home

M mother who nurtured and loved me

N neighbors who are friendly and helpful

O oranges for Vitamin C

P patio where I sit and enjoy the lake

Q quartet of gospel singers

R relaxing time to be renewed

S stamps to mail cards and letters

T tea which offers comfort every day

U uniforms which signify those who help

V vase for all of my flowers

W wind that rustles trees 

X x-rays to help doctors diagnose

Y yellow which shows sunshine and happiness

Z zebras which are an amazing part of creation

 

       Once I started, it was easy to continue and look forward to my next list. 

 

       Gratefulness makes each day brighter even in the most difficult times. Try it and let me know what you discover.  

 

Warning

 

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. Proverbs 3:13-14 (NIV)

 

As the rays of the sun broke through the darkness, I opened my garage door and pushed my sizable garbage can to the street. To my left, a line of upright garbage cans and recycling bins lined the street. 

 

            But to the right, I saw a vastly different picture. Five huge garbage cans had been tossed onto sidewalks and lawns like a mini tornado hit. Scattered garbage and slit trash bags littered sidewalks and spilled over onto the street. A trail of debris went down both sides of my street. 

 

            On closer inspection, I saw a peanut butter jar and the remains of several meals. Down the street from those five homes, green cans stood like sentinels guarding the neighborhood. 

 

            Conservation areas cover large areas of my development and provide homes for many types of wildlife. From my yard, I can see a lot of animals like eagles, turkeys, deer, ducks, coyote, raccoons and bear. Most of them stay in their natural environment but not always.

 

            There were two possible causes of the mess. Three raccoons played in my oak tree one day. Thankfully, cayenne pepper kept them from returning. The pesky critters can be destructive but would have trouble overturning our giant sized garbage cans. 

 

            The more plausible cause was a hungry bear or two. A bear could easily knock over the cans and rip open bags with their long claws. They rummage through garbage for tasty bits of food. With more and more trees destroyed, their habitat decreases and they resort to leftovers from human meals. 

 

            Our weekly newsletter reminds residents to put garbage out in the morning to prevent bears from venturing onto our streets and into the trash. However, not everyone obeys the warning. 

 

            For a long time, nothing happened on my street so people continued to ignore the danger. One day that changed. Then there were consequences. Fortunately, no one was hurt, there was no permanent damage and the messes were cleaned up. 

 

            Often we experience internal or external warnings about certain attitudes or behaviors. As long as nothing significant happens, we continue. Then one day that changes. We reflect and wonder why we didn’t heed the warnings. We then face unwelcome and perhaps disastrous consequences. That may be the only way we learn and change. 

 

Father, we often ignore warning signs and get ourselves into trouble. We need help listening and obeying. Thank you for not always giving us what we deserve. A

Peeling Shoes

Oh, no. How could I have not noticed? 

            After months of not seeing my friend, we met for lunch at a small Cuban restaurant. For three hours we talked and caught up on our lives during the pandemic. 

            She dropped me off at home. When I took off my shoes, I almost fainted with embarrassment. 

            That morning, I dressed carefully with black pants and a bright, blue sweater. I put on a special necklace and a light amount of make up. 

            Since it was cool, I went to the garage where I found a pair of closed toed, black shoes which I rarely wear in warm, sunny Florida.  It had been over a year since I wore the flats but they fit comfortably when I quickly slipped my feet into them. I hurried to my friend’s waiting car and we were off. 

            In my haste to leave, I never looked down at my shoes although I should have. With months in an extremely hot garage, fake leather peeled off. Not one tiny spot on one shoe but both shoes looked like they had a bad case of sunburn and the resulting peeling. 

            At first, I was mortified that my friend and customers in the restaurant had seen my scarred footwear. Then as I examined the pathetic shoes more closely, I began laughing. The flawed shoes provided the perfect idea for a story. 

            How often have I fixed myself up to look good on the outside but ignored a bad attitude? Perhaps I judged someone who did something I didn’t like. Maybe they didn’t look right for church. If someone noticed my defective shoes, they might have judged me too. 

            My damaged shoes didn’t keep me from enjoying lunch with my friend. However, if I jump to conclusions, the result can affect my peace, relationships and Christian witness. 

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2 NIV)

Lord, help me not jump to conclusions and judge others. Thank you for a sense of humor that helps me laugh at myself.  Amen