Butterfly Breakfast and a Benediction

I love my screened porch, especially in the mornings. Because our lot is next to a green belt that follows a creek bed, I look out into a forest of tall pines, old live oaks and a few flowering baskets. With the fans going, the porch was almost cool enough (well, anyway it was “not too hot” for August) to enjoy sitting there this morning.

 

So I took my coffee and my One Year Bible and started the day sitting with Jesus – soaking in who He is, setting my focus on Him. I know that is the key to being cushioned as hard reality comes along.

You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!   Isaiah 26:3

And for concentration’s sake, I closed my eyes as I talked to the Lord – out loud – about things I need to release into His care. Then in mid sentence, I opened my eyes just in time to see the gift He sent to me. A huge butterfly fluttered to the pink petunias and started enjoying its breakfast.

I think I can now say that I have seen a butterfly gulp. Really.

I mean, it lingered on each blossom, drinking so deeply. And it seemed so satisfied by what it found there. Like it never wanted to leave that flower. Almost as if the nectar concoction was a special order of its very favorite flavors exactly suited for what that butterfly needed right then.

And then, when He knew I had seen it, really seen it, the Lord directed the butterfly somewhere else to proclaim His nearness and love and power. It was an amazing “Good morning!” gift.

The God who directs the exact flight pattern (and breakfast time) of that butterfly is paying attention to every detail of everything that touches my life. The God who satisfies the needs of that butterfly certainly has resources and provisions to satisfy me with a special order concoction. The God who made that lovely creature and its mutually beneficial connection with flowers is the God who created every interconnected cell in my body.

Then when I picked up my Bible again, today’s reading included Romans 15:13.

A benediction, a blessing to begin the day.

And may it be so! May this be a day where – through the power of the Holy Spirit – we abound in HOPE!

Here are a couple of things that help me keep my focus on Jesus. I’m praying that they will help you, too.

He Will Hold Me Fast

Hymn of Promise

May the God of hope fill you

with all joy and peace in believing

so that by the power of the Holy Spirit

you may abound in hope!