Butterflies

I went out and visited Jim's grave the other day. It was very peaceful...... I felt close to him. I felt no ache in my heart.....what a very precious feeling. I must be healing; the constant ache is no longer constant. I left some bright flowers there and headed back to deal with this life without my honey. A single monarach butterfly flew by landing on a tree then flinted away.

Several times since that day I have seen this butterfly. Always alone. Looking beautiful. I hope that is how I look to God.

Butterflies have many precious meanings to me. One is of being a new creature. I have been transformed by Christ and am now a new creature. A born-again believer.

Another is the strengthening that comes from trials. A butterfly strengthens it wings when it pushes out of it cocoon. If it is helped out, say by a slit from a knife, the wings are not strong enough to let it fly. Just like my trials make me stronger to soar.

1 Peter 5:6-11 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Butterflies also make me thing of heavenly things, like heavenly bodies. An insects seems dead and then rises and soar as a new creature. The Bible says our bodies will be changed in the twinkling of an eye. This terrestial body will no longer be, instead a believer will have a heavenly body.

Something interesting I learned just today. On their flight north, some butterflies never make it. They lay eggs on their way and their offspring complete their mission to their northern destination. That reminded me of Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Another verse Jim had circled in his Bible.....