What the caterpillar calls the end of the world,
. . .the Creator calls a butterfly.
In the roller-coaster ride of the last two weeks, the arrival of the autumn butterfly migration has proven a perfectly timed gift. Butterflies remind me that God sees and knows me and that what seems a tomb in this life may be the place where wings are grown. I pray our winged visitors' images in this place encourage you and remind you of the hope begotten by the resurrection of Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory (1 Peter 1:3-8, ESV).Thank You, Creator of the birds and butterflies and wildflowers,
that You who provide unstintingly for them will do no less for Your blood-bought sons and daughters,
for Your sovereignty over weather and timing,
for Amore's labor and foresight in making a garden the bees and butterflies enjoy,
for a believing surgeon with praise music playing in his waiting room,
for confirmation that my abdominal pain this last month requires surgical remediation,
for completion of all the paperwork on time,
for companionship in a very long first appointment with my new rheumatologist,
for the compassion of the physician's assistant who took my history,
for giving them insight (we think) and a plan, pending lab results, to help me heal,
for Your wisdom, foreknowledge, providence, and sovereignty over two pieces of hard employment news in the same day for a loved one,
for an unexpected encounter with and hug from a pew neighbor at Subway,
for grocery shopping with Amore,
for my dad and husband working together on a house project Saturday afternoon,
for more space in the garage than a week ago,
for my first visit to my Nonni's new home yesterday,
for her happiness in this great change,
for a few thoughtful gifts she selected for us in her moving preparations,
for my aunt and uncle's hard work and hours (likely days) of assistance to her in this process,
and for a promising, timely series on Psalm 46 begun today on Revive Our Hearts.
(gratitude list # 2224-2242)
Praying friends, please pray for us this week as we trust God with another outpatient surgery for me Thursday. We're grateful for you! You are always free to share your own prayer requests with me in the comments or by email at crumbsfromhistable [at] gmail [dot] com.
