Waiting for the Storm

 

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Psalm 62:8 NIV

Today’s the day. After endless broadcasts about the approaching hurricane, Florida waits for landfall. 

            Brightly colored weather maps show possible wind intensity and inches of rain. Changing squiggly lines display the path of the monster storm. Reports of floods and tornadoes add to the dire predictions. 

            Until today, I only occasionally listened to the weather reports so I could be prepared. 

            I secured furniture and plants on my patio. Four chrysalises hung from the top of the butterfly cage and two caterpillars have plenty of milkweed. Their enclosure is next to the wall and away from rain. 

            Instead of riding out the storm alone, I will be leaving soon for my son’s home. I am confident my house would be secure but with a few days of heavy rain and raging wind, staying alone would probably be very stressful. 

            A suitcase is packed with necessary supplies, food in a bag, yarn to crochet, I-pad, phone and chargers. Insurance papers in a plastic ziplock bag, and plenty of books. Doors locked. AC turned up. Almost ready to leave. 

            Rain soaked roads are busy as people leave. Soon I will be with them as I travel to be with my family. 

            As we wait, we have no idea how the storm will affect us. Rain, wind, flooding, tornadoes… But as Christians, we know that God is in control. I can be prepared somewhat but can’t change the weather conditions. 

            Disasters normally bring people together as we have opportunities to be kind and help each other. I plan to stay connected to friends and family around the state. To give updates to those who are concerned about us. 

            Please pray for all of us in Florida. In the middle of our storms, we can rely on God. 

 

Father, be with us in our recent storms whether related to weather or other situations. Thank you for your love and care. Amen

Our Goodbyes

 

The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you; and give you peace.

Numbers 6: 24-26 NIV

As I prepared this morning to leave on a short trip, my mind filled with memories of good byes. 

            Friends and family members struggle with the reality of farewells. Even when leaving is voluntary and exciting, departing can cause sadness and uncertainty. In some instances, the departure might be forced and excruciating for everyone involved. 

            Recently, I have observed all kinds of goodbyes. Students beginning college anticipate joyfully their new stage of life but endure sadness at leaving a loving home. Too many friends are experiencing a loved one whose body remains healthy but the mind is on its own journey. In other cases, the mind is intact but the body is wasting away. 

            Recruits and long-time service members deploy as their families stay behind. Spouses decide they no longer want to be part of the marriage and leave a hurting partner. 

In every case, there is grief, perhaps mixed with joy, for those leaving and for the ones left behind. None of the situations are easy but a part of life. Even when the end of the journey seems wonderful, the process can be painful. 

In all of my goodbyes, God has been with me but the walk hasn’t been easy. 

Loving Father, give us peace and comfort as we navigate the season of saying goodbye. Amen.

Hope in Isolation

 My new book is coming out soon. It is Hope in Isolation which is a book of devotionals about being in isolation. We can be isolated in all kinds of situations. 

Here is the website. Hopeinisolation.com

Reflections

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate^[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)

Light pushed away the darkness. A family of turkeys waddled across the lawn. A symphony of bird melodies welcomed the dawn. But the lake drew my full attention. 

            The mirrored surface reflected the forest directly across the water. Pine trees reached from shore to shore. Water plants on the bank formed a contiguous border with no apparent line between real and mirror image. 

            In the midst of the green trees, a lengthy, barren tree stretched to my shoreline. For several minutes, I stared at the unusual spectacle. The details of the picture gripped me as I tried to finish my devotions but my attention focused on the extraordinary scene. 

            I took several pictures before it disappeared. Cypress trees in my yard blocked the naked but appealing tree. The up-side-down reflection stood out amidst the shades of green. Each limb matched its counterpart.  Although I couldn’t see it, the image produced a distinct likeness. I knew what the tree looked like because of its reflection. 

            As Christians we are to reflect Jesus to the world. To do that, we must truly know Him and His Word. Is our image clear or blurry? Will others want to know Him because of us or turn away from a poor likeness? If we love like Jesus, what a difference we can make. 

Father, help us truly reflect Jesus in our dark world. Amen

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.