Raising a Monarch Butterfly

Two years ago, we found a monarch butterfly caterpillar at my parents' farm in Southeastern Ohio in August. We watched the amazing transformation take place, stunned and enthralled as God's miracle unfolded right before our eyes. It began with the ravenous eating and rapid growth of the caterpillar. As we were getting ready to return home to Pennsylvania, I noticed the caterpillar had attached himself to a stick and dropped head down. I was concerned. Was this normal? Soon, I noticed a green substance creeping up the caterpillar, but it was time to go. We packed our little piece of nature into the car and headed home, hoping the jarring of the car didn't disturb our precious cargo.

When we climbed out of the car, we were amazed to see the work of the caterpillar was complete for now: He had turned into a lovely jade-green chrysalis, complete with a metallic gold line around the top and more gold specks around the base. We watched and waited. One morning, I noticed the chrysalis had turned black. I was certain something bad had happened. The girls and I left for a few hours to run an errand, and while we were gone, my husband called to inform us our butterfly had hatched.

Disappointed to have missed it, we rushed home. We saw that our butterfly's abdomen looked large and its wings, small and wet. We took him outside and watched as his wings grew larger and drier (evidently he was pumping fluid into his wing veins).  He took turns walking onto our fingers and letting us "hold" him. We were careful not to touch his wings, which would harm him.

The girls and I watched as our butterfly grew stronger and stronger. He flew a bit, then rested on the brick side of our house. We took pictures. And, finally, we said goodbye to our beautiful friend.

We had such a wonderful experience witnessing God's beauty at work in the world around us, we've been wanting to raise another monarch butterfly. Our wish has been granted again this summer. I returned home from another visit to Ohio this past Sunday with what I thought was one large monarch caterpillar and some milkweed leaves to feed him.

Turns out, two more tiny, tiny caterpillars had hitched a ride on the milkweed. God is generous!

Dear Lord: Please help us to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the natural world around us, which you have created. Allow us to view the miracle of transformation from caterpillar to butterfly and be inspired. If a tiny worm can accomplish such dramatic results in a few short days, what could we do, if only we trusted in you and in our own gifts?

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

  Romans 12:2

For more information about monarchs and some cool life cycle photos, visit http://www.monarch-butterfly.com/

Image: Liz Noffsinger / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Morning Coffee

Are you a coffee junkie? A java aficionado? A mocha maven?

Do you start each and every morning with a cup of coffee or tea?

I do. It's a given.

Yes, I do have to take some time to make sure I'm stocked up on my favorite beans and that I have the right filter. I need to rinse out the pot, fill up the reservoir with fresh water, replace the filter and measure out the coffee grinds. These days, most of this has to be accomplished with a four-month old baby on my hip, which makes it all the more challenging.

But, it's worth it.

There's something else that should be as much a part of my day as my morning coffee. Time with God. Every day. Non-negotiable. As much a part of waking of as my daily caffeine boost.

Seeking God first in the morning sets the stage for a productive and peaceful day.

Dear God, help me to consistently seek you each and every morning. Help me to connect with you and feel your peace. Infuse my daily life with your love and joy. Amen. 

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33

Nature Girl

Nature Girl

for Caroline Grace, June 2008, Age 5

Arms swinging, down by the creek,

muddy flip-flops flapping,

ponytail unraveling, she's

lifting stones,

shallow splashing,

rock hopping, eyes shining.

Palmfuls of treasure mount--

a feather, a broken tile,

a crayfish claw, a freshwater shell,

dragonfly wings, tiny pebbles;

a bleeding heart she packages

in a folded maple leaf.

Tale telling and honeysuckle smelling

down by the creek

where it seems

trees rise higher,

green is brighter,

and the air around her vibrates

with joy.

Copyright 2010, Elizabeth May

The Little Brown Book

It was a slim brown booklet.  Pretty dull by most counts. No flowers, glitter, or embossments. Not the kind of thing most women would pick out. Serviceable, yes. Inexpensive, most definitely.

Nonetheless, it would have to do. I'd decided to start a prayer journal, and I was ready to do it today. God called, and I wouldn't delay.

That was two summers ago. The little brown book has evolved from a ledger of sorts (with a laundry list of rote prayer concerns) to more of the kind of journal I used to keep--my thoughts, things that are happening in my life, and, always, my prayers, my confessions, my spiritual hopes and dreams.

When I do take the time to write in it--which isn't nearly as often as it should be--I feel, by turns, cleansed, inspired, at peace. And I always feel loved, communing with a God who wants more to hear from me, than to judge me.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your mind in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4: 6-7