Saturday, July 18, 2009

A butterfly visits

I think I'd better write this story before I go to Curves. I've been meaning to tell you about this for days now, but first I wanted to make sure enough people had a chance to read my previous post. After that I always found some things I considered more important to do. However, it will give me such pleasure to share this with you. Mustn't wait any longer.

On our last holiday with the motorhome we stayed at a lake in an out of the way place, 26 kilometers away from a major road. Very few people live there and only the occasional car or logging truck passed on the gravel road. There was only one other party camped at the lake and they were at the far end of the campground. We didn't even get to meet them.

One afternoon, while my husband was out on the lake in his boat, catching his many fish (it's a very good lake for that), I was sitting in my comfy chair reading a fluff book. (A "fluff book" is what my friend calls a book that entertains but does nothing much else for you.)

The air was clean and warm with enough of a breeze to keep the mosquitoes away. Not too warm either, just comfortable. I listened to the sound of the many birds in the trees and bushes around me. I felt at one with nature. I felt God's presence.

At one point I looked down at my left hand as it held the book and, at the base of my thumb, noticed a tiny, pale blue butterfly with dotted wings. I sat very still and it stayed there for a bit. Then it moved to my forearm. Then to the front of my Tshirt. Finally, after this little visit it flew away. I was delighted, even more feeling united with nature, united with God.

My husband doesn't believe in God and he cynically said, "Do you believe God told that butterfly to come to you?" But no, that's not it at all. It's just that I sensed God's presence in it and the rest of all nature that surrounded me that day. God was in the trees and in the birds and in the breeze. He was in the warm sunshine. He was in the butterfly. And I became part of all that. God was in me too.

6 comments:

sbwrites said...

Dear Marja,
Actually, perhaps God enabled Wes to catch all those fish (smiling face). While God can touch us any place, it sure seems like there is a closer connection when we're out in nature!

Susan

marja said...

Hi Susan,

Yes, such a connection when we're in the midst of nature, quietly drinking it in. The Bible says, "Be still, and know that I am God."

gate valves said...

i really love reading your blog. Wonderful posts. Keep on blogging..

mike

marja said...

Mike,

Welcome to my blog. Thank you for visiting, commenting, and encouraging me.

Nancie said...

Marja,

Glad you have such a blessed time. I love nature too. It always remind me what a great God we serve. I went for some nature walks recently and greatly blessed by the beauties of God's creations. The wonderful ways He preserve them day by day, gives me the encouragement that He will take care of me and His beloved people. Take care!

Hugs,
Nancie

marja said...

Hey Nancie,

Good to hear from you. Yes, I know how you love nature - and how you love to photograph the flowers, as I do.

Hope you're doing well today.

Take care and God bless you,
marja