Last week, the promise of rain was in the forecast.  Though rain has fallen on other locations in our small town, we have seen little to none over the past two months at my house.  The small lake behind our home has receded from its banks.  Grass now grows where water once stood.  We were hopeful as clouds began to gather and the wind began to blow, whipping the trees back and forth. Light weight objects not anchored down began to topple and blow across the yard.

I had already planned to sit on our patio and watch every drop that fell when we did have a good rain. I love rainy days…a love shared by my daughter and me. So there I sat in anticipation of a downpour. It was then that I noticed a butterfly on the butterfly bush just feet away from where I sat.  I couldn’t decide exactly what it was doing.  In one moment it appeared to be trying to feed from the flowers while in the next it looked to be holding on for dear life.

When the butterfly attempted to take flight I became aware that it had a broken wing, no doubt caused by the strong wind. It would attempt to battle the wind and fly away only to fall back onto the bush. At that point it became clear that it was clinging to the bush for safety in the storm. I was saddened watching this scenario unfold but reminded that our fragility equals that of this butterfly which was broken and beautiful all at the same time.

All too often storms invade our lives, leaving us broken, feeling tossed about, searching for something to hang onto in the whirlwind.  Praise God we have SOMEONE to provide the refuge we so desperately need when all seems lost and healing to fly again once the storm subsides. And whether broken or whole, just as that butterfly maintained its beauty we, too, retain beauty in our Father’s eyes because the cross has made us flawless. Praise God that is how He sees us, through the shed blood of His son, Jesus, on the cross.

“For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.”  (Psalm 27:5)

Hang onto Jesus in faith and trust when dark clouds form on the horizon of your life.  If you seek the comfort only He can give in the things of this world, you will find yourself tossed about, confused and discouraged.  “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1)  Seek shelter and rest in Him. Hold on for dear life to the one who gave His life for you. To God Be the Glory!