The Messenger

Sometimes I feel alone.  I bet you do too.
 
But, we're not.  Our loving Father is always with us.  Many times though I neglect to be still, to quiet my mind, to seek Him. 
 
He is there.  He is waiting for me to slow down and spend time with Him.  He longs to hear from me (and you) - and to speak to us.  If only, I would quiet myself, and give Him my time.
 
Recently, I've felt a sense of loss in some relationships.  I reach out to some whom I love, with caring, and find a void.  There is no acknowledgement, or gentleness or return of loving gesture or feeling. 
 
It is nothing that I can change, He has told me.  He has encouraged me and affirmed me when I'm saddened by this lack of human caring or return of love. 
 
And so I was in the garden, feeling a bit sad and alone, wondering about the way people treat one another.  On my back I had strapped a backpack sprayer with 3 HEAVY gallons of organic plant food.  With one hand I pumped the sprayer handle up and down to keep pressure in the tank, and in the other hand I held the sprayer nozzle. 
 
As I began spraying my tomato plants, a beautiful small butterfly landed on my left hand.  I stopped what I was doing to admire and study him, thinking he would fly off in a few seconds. He didn't.

He doesn't look colorful here, or particularly beautiful with his wings together on his back.  But, occasionally he would open them ever so briefly and I'd glimpse a gorgeous kaleidoscope of color and pattern.

But his beauty was not the wondrous thing about this encounter.  For this little butterfly was a divine messenger.  In my heart, I heard God telling me, "You are not alone.  I will never leave you nor forsake you.  I will always love you."

Instantly, I felt joy and the sadness melted away.  I thought, "Okay, I hear you Lord.  Thank you for that reminder."  But, He wasn't done encouraging me.

You see, my little winged friend refused to leave me.  At first, I wouldn't use my left hand, not wanting to scare him away.  Then, I decided to go about my chore, though gently.  As I used my hand to pump up the sprayer, he hung on to my finger.  I thought he would surely fly off any moment, but he stayed on my hand while I sprayed plant after plant.

"Wow God! You really know how to send a message!" 

As I finished the garden and started to load the sprayer onto the cart to drive back to the barn and use the remaining spray for our blackberries, my friend flew off my hand.  I smiled.  How special our time together had been - He had cheered me so!

When I arrived at the barn, put on the backpack again and walked to the blackberries, I thought I saw a butterfly.  Flutter.  There.  It was a different one on the blackberries.  "Oh well," I thought, "it couldn't have been the same one."

At that moment I a felt a tickle on my left hand.  I raised my hand, and there was my friend holding my hand in the very same spot as before!  "This is amazing." 

He stayed with me as I finished my chore.  I carried him through the yard to show my husband and to take his picture.  Finally, I told him thanks and let him know it was okay to leave now.  Only then did he fly from my hand.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”   Deuteronomy 31:6

Father, you are so kind and generous with your love. You ALWAYS take time to show us your love if we stop to seek you and quiet ourselves in your presence.  Thank you for the messenger of love you sent my way.

Be love and be blessed,