Soaring on a Challenging Journey

As we moved through another year, I find myself reflecting on a past writing entitled "Words of Faith". The past several years have truly been challenging and life-changing. As I faced each life challenge, I was (and still is) strengthened and comforted by God's Word because the words of faith to me are like the sweet nectar to a butterfly.

Legacy Butterfly V (c) 2012 Sally Cherry

Legacy Butterfly VI (c) 2012 Sally Cherry

Words of Faith
As nectar nourishes...
 a butterfly,
The words of faith...
 nourish me.
So, I feed on...
God's Word
For it strengthens me. 

Verse © 1999 Sally Cherry

   Each challenge has been an essential step toward a deeper and stronger faith. As I move forward, I wrap myself in God's love, pray for His grace, seek His mercy and cling to His Word. The blessing of God's presence inspires me to reflect and share through my blog, photos, and verses better known as "My Butterfly Story". The butterfly which symbolizes "metamorphosis" (or "a marked change") serves as a personal reminder of my ongoing journey. When I reflect on the amazing story of the monarch butterfly, I am in awe of its journey as depicted in the 2014 documentary based on the critically acclaimed book, "Four Wings and a Prayer: Caught in the Mystery of the Monarch Butterfly" by Sue Halpern. It follows the migration of the Monarch butterfly from its Canadian birthplace to its wintering spot in the rainforests of Mexico. As I reflect on this "great mystery", I prayerfully feed on God's Word and soar forward on my journey.

Miracle of the Sunflowers

As you can see I finally got a closer look at the "Sunflowers of Jarrettsville" this year. In the past, I have driven by the “golden fields” and just admired them at a distance. A couple of years ago, I saw a picture of the sunflowers in a local newspaper and immediately made plans to visit the fields. After reading that the sunflowers would only be good for pictures another week, I promised myself to visit "next year".



God's timing is so amazing.

Although my "next year" did not come right away, the timing was perfect for an intimate outing with God. As I walked among the golden sunflowers, butterflies, and bumble bees, I quickly forgot about a leaking brake line and even an impromptu lawn mowing session after a broken promise. In the quietness of the moment, I found myself reflecting on the beauty and miracles within the unending rows of golden sunflowers. My thoughts wondered to that day's reading from my daily devotional, Sarah Young's Jesus Calling...

"You see miracles happening all around, 

while others see only natural occurrences and "coincidences".

   
As I walked deeper into the field, I was taken in by the overflowing miracles within this golden ecosystem. I am talking about the miracle of providence... co-existence... diversity... and even pollination as the butterflies and bees "danced" among the beautiful flowers as if to music.

I don't even remember what was planned for the afternoon but God's plan was indeed far superior. As I "played"  in the "golden fields", I was able to spend some time in God's presence. Simple pleasures are indeed golden!

The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Exodus 33:14 (NIV)

My Butterfly Story: The Words of Faith

Over the years, many of my "Steps of Faith" have been bookmarked with a butterfly symbolizing the metamorphosis or marked change in condition brought with each step. Thus, "My Butterfly Story" is a collection of inspired verses, photos, and thoughts from my quiet moments with God. "My Butterfly Story" is my personal reflection on "marked changes" in my spiritual condition as I grow deeper and stronger in faith.
"The Words of Faith" A beautiful, brown butterfly is a special bookmark...
Photographed on a bright Sunday morning after I had listened to a spiritually moving message at my church. As I was walking and reflecting on the message, the butterfly crossed directly in front of me. Then, it perched on a blossom-covered bush beside me. So, I paused to watch as it fed on the nectar of the nearby blossoms. It never moved from the blossoms. Not even when I slipped out my camera and took several photos of it. The butterfly's attention was solely focused on the source of it's nourishment... the nectar.So, this feeding butterfly is a bookmark for me...

Words of Faith
As nectar nourishes a butterfly,
the words of faith nourish me.
So, I feed on God's Word
For it strengthens me.

Bible Scripture
"If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained."
1 Timothy 4:6 (KJV)

Text and photographs © 1999 Sally Cherry. All rights reserved.