Butterflies and I go way back.

I really believe God uses things to speak to us, signs if you will. I don't think I looked for them as much as I have the past 10 yrs of my life, but now it seems that the more I look for him to speak to me, the more I see these things. So, butterflies have always been a symbol to me that God is with me. It may sound weird to some, but here are just a few instances that just cannot be overlooked.

When my husband and I got engaged after a long 5 yrs of on and off dating I started seeing butterflies all the time, like flying by me on the interstate and unexpected places like that. Then, there were a few that were flying around his parent's backyard on the day we got married. And there is alot to our story but all I know was this was a sign that God was with us in our decision to get married.

And some could say this was coinsidense, but then there was the time right before I found out I was pregnant and again I would see them in unexpected places. Like when we were at the beach and there was a handful of them flying all around. I mean, who sees butterflies at the beach?! I never have and I've gone to the beach a couple of times a year, my whole life. Around the same month I was at a beach retreat and while I was out by the water by myself it happened again. It was like a confirming sign of new life beginning. Then, nearing the end of my pregnancy I was taking a walk one day and as I was coming up on a small water puddle there were about 10 yellow and black butterflies near by. I didn't notice them at the puddle until I got really close and I startled them, so they all flew up at the same time and it was seriously like a movie or something. I'll never forget that day! It was at that time that I was praying alot about the delivery because this was my first and I was feeling unsure about some things, but here was a sign to me of peace. And everything did go really well with Sterling's birth.

So, all this to say... as the economy has been going down a bit and my husband's company (he was co-owner's with) ended at the beginning of this year, things have been a bit rough. We just moved from a nice 3 bedroom townhouse to a 1 bedroom basement apartment to down size a bit and regroup. And today as we (Sterling & I) were walking around at our new place, out here in the woods, a yellow butterfly circled around us about two times. Then we spotted a monarch as well. I told Sterling how God has always brought butterflies in my life as a sign that he is with us. And I know I don't have to have a sign, but right now is was good to have something to bring hope.

So, for the past few days we've found the same 2 butterflies flying around and we have followed them to try to take pictures but they are too fluttery & fast and all we end up getting is leaves in the trees. So, here's a shot from our kitchen window with our framed butterflies as a constant reminder that God knows us personally and if we keep our eyes and minds open to him he will show us that he really is near.

Happy Wednesday!

peace.