How to Be a Poor Witness

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

James 1:19-20 (NIV)

After lunch with friends in our quiet, quaint town, we heard shouting as we walked to our cars. We froze and stared at the source of the unexpected outrage.

            A few feet from us, a white truck and a black truck stopped traffic on the main thoroughfare. Both drivers stood beside their trucks with opened doors. 

            The man at the back cussed and threatened the person he thought offended him in some way. From his escalating tirade, he definitely thought he had been abused. With so many recent shootings, I was afraid he would pull out a gun. 

            Thankfully, the first driver remained calm and didn’t add to the disturbing situation. He got into his truck and left. 

            When the irate driver took off, I hoped he didn’t follow to continue his attack. Then I noticed a bumper sticker from a local Christian radio station. Did he put it on his truck or did someone else. In either case, his outburst produced a terrible Christian witness. 

            An instant burst of anger, a bit of gossip, laying on the horn at a slow driver, or a snide remark can ruin a witness to those who might already have a distorted view of Christians. If we wear a cross, attend church or carry a Bible, people assume we are Christians and may be happy to see us falter.   

            The incident reminded me that our actions don’t have to be as outrageous as the angry driver but can be just as damaging if we taint the world’s view of Christianity. 

Father, show us how to live like Jesus in our broken world. Help us be kind even when it is not easy. Amen. 

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

The Open Door

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10: 7-10 NIV

For months I kept up with three butterfly cages and eighty-three monarchs hatched successfully. The process is time consuming but rewarding when butterflies take off to flitter around the yard. 

            Recently, I cleaned the cages and had two chrysalises hanging from the top of one of them. A few days later, I noticed the flap on the habitat wasn’t zipped completely but wasn’t concerned until I saw empty chrysalises dangling from the top. No butterflies hung on the mesh. 

            My eyes roamed my enclosed patio. They stopped at the far end near the ceiling.  A monarch clutched the screen above my reach. I tried to entice the new butterfly to latch onto a broom. She did for a couple of inches and then moved up higher. With an alluring flower stuck into the broom, I tried again. No success. 

            Even though she was far from the screen door, I left it open and hoped she would escape to the outside world. If she got out of a tiny opening in the cage, surely, she could fly out of a big door.

            Every hour or so, I checked to see if she had left but she hadn’t. I tried the broom again but that didn’t help either. 

            Since spring, I cleaned cages, supplied milkweed, brought teeny eggs inside and released full grown monarchs. My efforts protected them from predators and ensured a safe environment. Then one time I forgot to zip the opening. 

            Within her larger cage, she was protected from wind, rain and most predators. But there were no blooms to feed her. She could see the world through the screen but couldn’t figure out how to get there. She refused all my attempts of rescue.

            Like my stubborn butterfly, we get stuck in difficult situations. We become entangled in poor choices, addictions, and worldly vices. 

            When God calls and tries to show us a way out, we sometimes run further away and refuse guidance. Enduring the familiar can trap us in unhealthy or dangerous situations. 

            God loves us and wants the best for His children. We need to go to Him. He leaves the door open so we can enter and have an abundant life.  

Loving Father, you love us and want what is best for us. But we must listen and move through Your door as you guide us. Amen.

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

A Protective Cage

 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Green, white and black caterpillars crawled up bare, milkweed stems. With three butterfly cages, I kept busy cleaning them out to prevent diseases and also supplied fresh milkweed to the voracious eaters. 

            Each time I collected bunches of the foliage, I searched for teeny, white eggs and little caterpillars too. With lots of predators such as wasps, bees, and lizards, the population of butterflies in the area had dwindled. 

            When my town became a Monarch city, I decided to help the gorgeous insects. The time consuming, but rewarding, endeavor brings joy when butterflies are released and soar with the wind. 

            In my cages, they are sheltered and nourished. Within a few weeks, they move from teeny eggs to magnificent adults as they progress through metamorphoses. Although it is a perfect arrangement for a while, they can’t live permanently in the confined space. They need to spread their wings and enter the outside world. 

            In our uncertain, often scary, world, it might be tempting to stay secluded, sustained and away from the afflictions and disasters of the world. 

            Although God protects and nourishes us when we become Christians, we are not promised an easy life. The Bible instructs and leads us in the way we should go. Biblical teaching and fellowship with other Christians give us peace, hope and strength for our journey into society. 

            Jesus never promised us a trial free life but did promise He would be with us in our difficulties. 

            With Him as our protector, we can soar and make a difference in the world around us.

Loving Father, we don’t know your plan but trust you to teach  and lead us. Amen