September 11, 2012

"From there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul."--Dueteronomy 4:29

A couple weeks ago now,  this site greeted our eyes one fine morning.  I don't normally go through the back yard, but on this day I did because the stroller was parked there.  I thought I saw a butterfly and ran inside to get my camera and call the kids.

Just the Friday before while we were playing at the park, the kids had found a butterfly that looked just like this.  It had a wounded wing.  They passed it along, cared for it and all the kids at the park were intrigued by it.  Lene wanted to bring it home, but I wouldn't let her.  I thought it should be kept in its natural habitat since it was injured.  However, as the afternoon wore on, another child asked to take it home and the answer from her mom was yes.  I would love to say my daughter didn't mope and have attitude, but she did.  She kept trying to convince the child to leave it. . . to no avail. Sigh.

Anyways, just a couple days later, in our backyard we see this one.  My daughter went to it instantly and it walked on to her hand for a minute before it flew away to enjoy the rest of the day.  We were all so surprised at how easily it went to her; how natural she was with it.  We wondered aloud if it was the same butterfly from a few days before.  We reveled in God's grace and His perfect timing.

Did I mention, the devotional we read aloud that very morning was titled, "Search for Me?"
Here is an excerpt from Jesus Calling:
I want you to search for me--not just once in a while, not just on Sundays, and not just when you need my help. I want you to look for Me at all times.

And I want you to search with all your heart and soul--not just because you think you should, or because someone told you to.  Look for Me with everything that is in you because you want to find me. 

That morning, we saw Him.  We felt His presence very real in our life.  Butterflies just don't happen upon a young girl's patient, outstretched hand.  Except this one did.  It was a very real reminder of how great and faithful our God truly is!  The kids were in awe.  I was in awe.  That was not a coincidence.  He had his hand in that completely.  What a gift!

 I sent a text to my friend to see if they still had the butterfly.  They did.
God took this opportunity and looked at a little girl who needed to see Him in a more physical, real form.  The butterfly was it. Our gift from God. . .keep searching.  He is there!

*No matter how much time passes, He is there...remembering the victims and families effected by 9/11 and praying for peace.