Butterflies

Good morning sisters and brothers;

" The night has passed and the day lies open before us; let us pray with one heart and mind. As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may we the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you." 

Romans 12: 9

Yesterday was a stormy day, weatherwise. There was wind, rain, lightning and lots of thunder. As I was driving home from Chatham, tornado warnings came through my cellphone. It was most unsettling. I had to get home because our cats were outside in their catio. I knew they would be dry, but Kit is afraid of thunder and petrified of lightning. 

The sky was like a surrealist painting. Some of the clouds looked like they had been painted by Jackson Pollock. Bold strokes of grey and black swept across the sky, and some of the clouds seemed to have a life of their own, swirling and descending towards the ground . The wind was picking up dead leaves off the ground , making them look like angry butterflies.. And most disturbing of all, some of the clouds looked like enormous sheets of bubble wrap, which is an omen of inclement weather. The constant lightning strikes added to my anxiety. 

Kit and Crookshanks were waiting for me, wide eyed at the catio door. No sooner than they were safely in their indoor apartment, the skies opened up with relentless fury. The thunder shook the old farmhouse to its foundation. The power flickered on and off, but luckily it stayed on. We debated whether we should head to the basement. But as quickly as the storm had begun, it ceased. 

Dusk had descended quietly and I was drawn to the colours of the setting sun. There was not even a breeze. The trees were weighted down with rain, looking tired, almost as though trying to draw in a breath of fresh air. 

I will not try to describe the sunset. I am incapable of doing it justice. 

The picture speaks for itself. 

As I was walking back to the farmhouse, I caught sight of a flutter of Monarch butterflies near our catalpa tree. 

They were mesmerizingly beautiful. 

They did not scatter as I approached them. Rather, they circled around me several times and then took to the skies. Monarch butterflies are spiritual creatures.  

Even though there were still rumblings of thunder in the distance, I knew the storm was truly over.  

We as disciples of Christ undergo all kinds of storms in our faith journeys. 

Sometimes the storms are so overwhelming that we feel unable to do anything. 

We yearn for the peace and tranquility that comes after the storm. 

If any in our little reflection group is going through a particularly rough storm, please know that you are not alone. I will pray for you. 

And your anxieties and fears are known to the God who made us all. Psalm 139, verse 3 states" Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, but you, O Lord, know it altogether."

Your homework for tonight is to pray for all the lovely people in our little reflection group.

Let us pray

Lord God, the well-spring of life, pour into our hearts the living water of your grace. By your light we see light. Increase our faith, and grant that we may walk in the brightness of your presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Que Diosito me los colme de bendiciones

Paz 

Con mucho amor

John