As I walked a nature trail towards the beginning of summer, memory triggers swept through my heart and left me desolate, alone, and afraid. Help me, God! I’m sinking fast!
Lift your eyes and look around you, My child.
I tried so hard to see His love and care in His creation around me, but still those memories of past pain and betrayal kept sucking the life out of my soul.
I sat down on a bench, tears ready to gush forth, my soul pleading for strength and comfort. My eyes lifted and my heart gasped with wonder. A butterfly flew in front of me along with God’s whisper – I am with you always, My child. Then another one flew by as if to confirm God’s promise.
As I walked back to my van, my heart was still heavy with grief from the past, but a hope arose in my soul that God would again get me through this tough spot.
God graciously continued to send me reminders throughout the summer. When my heart was despondent as I drove home from the doctor, one flew a couple of feet in front of the windshield. As I reclined in my chair, feeling sick and drained of energy, one fluttered past the window. And many other times, as one flew by, I had to smile as a calmness seeped into my soul.
One day I told some of my grandkids how when I see a butterfly it’s like God is whispering to me – I am with you always, My child.
“Boy, Grandma, He must have really been yelling it then when we went to the butterfly house!” Lexi said.
Butterflies convey God’s message of hope to me, and I’m awed how often He sent them to me this summer. But I’m trying to remember His promise isn’t any less true when the butterflies don’t come.
“And be sure of this:
I am with you always,
even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20b
The promise of God being with us doesn’t come and go like a butterfly. He has promised He will be with us, and He will be, whether or not we can feel it.
Yes, it can be so hard to grasp and hold onto the promise of God’s faithfulness with our weak and shaky hands. But it’s a comfort that even when we can’t hold on, He won’t let us go. He will hold us up with His victorious right hand!
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with My victorious right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NLT
“Faithful”
by Sarah Reeves
“Even when I cannot see, You are moving
Even when I cannot hear, You are singing over me
Even when I can’t hold on, You won’t let me go
You are faithful, You are faithful
Hallelujah
My soul will sing
Hallelujah
You are good to me
You are faithful, always faithful…”
Freed to Fly 
Amen, Trudy. I don’t know the pain you carry, but I have days I get weighed down by the past too – I am so thankful God holds us tight through it all, opening our eyes to see what He sees. Great His faithfulness to us, morning by morning His mercies anew.
Praying today for many more moments like the ones with these butterflies for you and for His Body to surround you in love, prayer and encouragement, to lift you up in Jesus, especially on those days you feel the weight the most. Thank you for being real – you encourage me.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for your prayers, Anna. I’m so glad you were encouraged. Being vulnerable isn’t easy, is it? Abuse and betrayal are devastating, aren’t they? I’m sorry you get weighed down sometimes, too. But yes, God holds us tight through it all. I pray you will daily be lifted up in Jesus, too! May our hearts ever be open to see God’s faithfulness, even when our hearts are heavy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How beautiful your granddaughter is, Trudy, and what lovely memories you made together at the butterfly house! Yes, when I see a butterfly, I, like you, am always reminded of God’s constant love and care for all of us. I’m so glad He could touch you so powerfully at those moments when all seemed lost. Praying for you, my friend!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Martha, for your prayers and kind words. Yes, my granddaughter is beautiful, inside and out. As are all of my 15 (+3 as 3 are married already) grandkids and 3 great-grandkids. It’s not always easy with so many to spend one-on-one time with each one, so it was special that Lexi asked me to go with her as her 17-year-old life is very busy. 🙂 But whether one on one time or several together, times with grandkids are lovely memories, aren’t they? I love each of them so very much! You know the feeling. 🙂 May we daily open the eyes of our hearts to see God’s constant love and care for us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Trudy,
Oh He is so faithful to us! Your words here especially touched me: “Yes, it can be so hard to grasp and hold onto the promise of God’s faithfulness with our weak and shaky hands. But it’s a comfort that even when we can’t hold on, He won’t let us go. He will hold us up with His victorious right hand!” Our weaknesses don’t hinder His great strength, as He will hold us up when we cannot keep going! Thank you so much for sharing from your heart. Monarch butterflies speak of His same Presence to me, and this summer the Lord increased the blessing to use them in my daughter’s life also, when she went through a deep trial. I am so very grateful that He meets us there in the middle of our pain. You are in my prayers, Dear Friend. May you be blessed with His great love today!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh yes, Bettie! It’s such an incomprehensible wonder that our weakness don’t hinder His great strength! He will hold us up when we cannot keep going! I’m so grateful God used butterflies for your daughter, too. I know she was devastated. Is she feeling held up? I pray God will carry her, too. I have to share something with you. 🙂 This morning I took a little walk. Just as I was praying for you and other friends I met through blogging, a monarch flew only about a yard in front of me! A peace came into my heart that God is with those I prayed for, too. He’s got you and them in His care. 🙂 Most of the butterflies God has brought to me are Monarchs, but a couple of times it was a Tiger Swallowtail. Thank you for your continuing support and prayers! May we daily cling to and rest in our Lord’s never-ending faithfulness and compassion!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, Trudy what a special gift from the Lord, just as you were praying today! Thank you for sharing that with me, it is such an encouragement. And, yes, my daughter really is feeling held by the Lord. But I know she appreciates your prayers also, as it is never easy. God is so compassionate to us! Blessings & Hugs! xoxo
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m so glad it encouraged you, too, Bettie. I felt the nudge to share it with you. I pray God will continue to gently cradle your daughter in His arms of love. Yes, God is so compassionate. Blessings and hugs to you, too!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Trudy, how kind of God to use butterflies to remind you of His presence during this hard summer! (I feel the same way about cardinals, by the way.) I’m so glad you could share this with your lovely granddaughter … those are the kinds of lessons kids carry close with them always. Hugs, friend!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hugs to you, too, Lois! It’s amazing how sometimes it’s in the deep valleys that He sends us signs of His love and faithfulness, isn’t it? We rarely see cardinals here. I pray God will send you many of them as you walk through this difficult journey of life! I know this past year or so has been extra difficult for you. May we always remember that God is always holding us up with His victorious right hand!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the photos of the butterflies and of your granddaughter, and that God gave you so many reminders of his presence with you this summer. It’s reassuring that he is always with us even when we can’t feel it but it is lovely that he gives us these reminders sometimes just when we need them! Love and hugs!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Love and hugs back to you, Lesley! Yes, it truly is reassuring that God is always with us even when we can’t feel it. I’m so grateful though that He sends us visible reminders sometimes just when we need them. I often thought though this summer how much I need to remember to keep the eyes of my heart open to see them. So often in my life my eyes were turned inward to the pain, and I missed so many evidences of God’s faithfulness. But God is ever patient with us, isn’t He? May we keep our eyes fixed on the only One who will never, ever fail us, hurt us, or abandon us!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Trudy,
So true: “The promise of God being with us doesn’t come and go like a butterfly. He has promised He will be with us, and He will be, whether or not we can feel it.” I pray God continues to bring healing to you and your spirit, soul, and body, and that He strengthens your hope and trust in Him. You are a beautiful woman of God. Blessings, love, and hugs to you, my friend. So happy you got to enjoy butterflies this summer; they hold a special place in my heart, too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much for your prayers and kind encouragement, Dolly. I’m so glad butterflies hold a special place in your heart, too. I could never catch a butterfly sitting still long enough for a photo this summer. Perhaps that was a reminder from our God, too, that He has freed us to fly to Jesus, in Jesus, and for Jesus. May God fill us with His love and give us grace to fly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Trudy! Isn’t it an amazing grace how God uses His creation to minister to our deepest needs … how good He is that we don’t have to look far to find Him in action, spreading His love over and around and in us …
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh Linda, I love that truth of Him “spreading His love over and around and in us.” Thank you. Yes, such amazing grace how He uses His creation to minister to us. May we ever be looking for Him in action!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love how God speaks to each of His children – so tenderly and so personally. Thanks for sharing how God encouraged your heart……which reminded me of the many times He has done the same for me.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love it, too, Jennifer, when God speaks to us so tenderly and personally. It’s so amazing, isn’t it? I’m so glad this reminded you of the many times He has done the same for you! I’d love to hear more. 🙂 May we remember and tell of His wonderful works He has done for us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awwww, Trudy. I loved this post. Okay, I love all of your posts. 🙂 But seeing the butterflies . . . and seeing how God has been speaking similar messages to us makes my heart happy.
How sweet that He sent you so many butterflies this summer to remind you that He is always present with you. That He is walking with you. And when you said this:
” But it’s a comfort that even when we can’t hold on, He won’t let us go. He will hold us up with His victorious right hand!”
I’m thankful God doesn’t only hold onto us when we’re holding onto Him. He is truly amazing, isn’t He?
I’m saying a prayer for you today, friend. And sending you love and hugs!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love all your posts, too, Jeanne. My heart felt especially connected with yours when I read your post and saw your butterfly photos this week. Yes, our God is our Hope! 🙂 He will never, ever let us go! Yes, He is truly amazing! Thank you for your prayers. It means a lot. You are in my prayers, too. Truly. Love and hugs to you, too! May we daily remember God accepts us as we are and where we are and is constantly working to make us more like Him!
LikeLiked by 2 people
We have a butterfly post planted in our garden…but your post has given me a new view of those beautiful creatures! I will look at a butterflies now and bei reminded that God is with me always! Thank you for that beautiful object lesson, dear Trudy! God bless you beyond all you can imagine! Love and hugest of hugs to you! ❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve heard of butterfly plants, but not a butterfly post, Lynn. What is that? Is it like in the butterfly house where they set out food for the butterflies? Does it attract a lot of butterflies? It sounds awesome. Yes, I do hope you will always be reminded that God is always with you! God bless you, too! Love and hugs back to you! May we always remember that God is with us 24/7 even when we can’t feel Him!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love how God showed up at the exact time you needed Him. The promise that comes with a butterfly is one that led you to knowing you were not alone. It is such a beautiful symbol of hope. Your pictures are beautiful and we have a conservatory in town that has a butterfly show every year. It reminds me of the butterfly house you visited with your granddaughter.
LikeLiked by 2 people
God is so good to give us visible symbols of hope, isn’t He? His timing is so perfect. That butterfly show must be beautiful, Mary. May we keep the eyes of our hearts open to God’s symbols of hope!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Your granddaughter is so beautiful, Trudy. I love the thought of butterflies bringing us reminders of God’s presence. I hope to see several fluttering around me today when I get my mail out of the mailbox! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Lisa. So you must have lots of butterflies around? May we always remember that even when those butterflies aren’t there, God is!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Trudy! So happy to have you back. It was great to see your post in my inbox! I love this!! God has brought me much comfort thought butterflies too! They are so beautiful and such an incredible picture of the transforming power of His tender love. Thanks for sharing your heart and being so full of grace and love. sending a hug! susie
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Susie! It’s so great to “see” you. I’ve been thinking a lot about you. And praying, too. 🙂 I miss your inspiring poems and paintings. I hope you had a wonderful summer. Yes, I, too, love how butterflies are also a picture of the transforming power of His tender love. Too often I still feel stuck in a cocoon, but I need to remember God has freed us to fly. 🙂 Sending hugs back to you! May we remember God has given us wings to fly to Him, through Him, and for Him!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so happy HE answered your prayers and reminded you HE is always with you! Such a beautiful post of faith and love! You are not alone here! I’m so glad you are back “online”; I’ve missed you! ❤ I always enjoy reading your posts of hope, faith, and inspiration as we all walk our individual roads! Blessings to you, my friend!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for your kind and loving encouragement, Jennifer. As I write, I’m so often trying to encourage myself, too, of the hope there is in Jesus. I am grateful that God brought us to travel this journey of life together. Your posts always warm my hearts. I love hearing about Jack and your other animal friends. 🙂 And how God uses them to strengthen and encourage you. 🙂 Blessings to you, too! May we cling to the Truth that God is with us always!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well, YOU just made my day, Trudy! Going forward always “focusing on the future” that life brings us each happiness and healing! YES, He is always with us ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
👍🏻 ❤️ 🐶
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been very poor at looking at blogs and even worse with commenting. My eye sight and computers don’t always cooperate. So today, I’ll stop by and say hello and copy this note into the comments. Some of you are on Facebook or Instagram, but many aren’t. As I’ve said all along, I’ve met wonderful people blogging.
And this post was just what I needed tonight….I love butterflies too. And I see Him when I see them!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s ok, Anita. I’m so grateful this was what you needed. I love that butterflies have such meaning to you as well. I always love your photos of the transformation from a caterpillar to a Monarch butterfly. May Jesus keep transforming us to be more like Him!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful images and thoughts! I’m always cheered and calmed by the sight of butterflies, even if I only catch a brief glimpse out of the window. They also speak of grace and freedom to me. Thank you, Trudy, for sharing your life and faith and encouraging us greatly too. Blessings on your weekend, my friend! xo ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, Joy. Yes, butterflies truly do speak of grace and freedom. 🙂 Blessings on your weekend, too! May we experience ever deeper the truth of Jesus always being with us, even when we don’t “see” or “feel” it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Trudy as I read your Posts and Comments God used them to remind me He is carrying me through my Storm.
Butterflies are not Magic as some claim but they are indeed a beautiful evidence of God’s Love in Creation.
He has also used Butterflies to remind me many times that He was very close and also Birds, Flowers, Trees and my Furry friends.
Trudy I have had a very hard life and suffered much Heartache, some I have shared on the link below. I caused a lot of my suffering but also others have hurt me greatly and at times still do but as you shared more than once and it is very True, we don’t Walk alone.
Childhood- http://freedomborn.wordpress.com/2011/09/27/the-early-years-a-little-lost-girl/
Our God of Love knew me as His own even before I was Conceived and you too Trudy and many others, He knows all things, He knows our Hearts from Eternity and that we would Repent showing we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Saviour and He promises that not one of us will be lost.
Our Abba Father has chosen us to be conformed into the image of Jesus who has set us Free from the Slavery of Sin, in this I see such amazing Grace.
Now as God’s Redeemed Children Our Hearts have a Melody that we long to share and Our Lord’s Notes of Love, Joy, Hope and Peace bring much Healing to this Hurting World.
Thank you Trudy for Singing in Harmony.
Christian Love Always – Anne (Grannie Annie)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Anne, I’m so grateful God used posts and comments to remind you that He is carrying you through the storm. I’m so, so sorry for all the pain you have gone through in your life and are still going through. Thank you for sharing that link to some hurts you have shared. I have only recently followed your blog, so I hadn’t read it. I’m sorry you are dealing, too, with heart problems. Yes, truly life has hit you hard, and my heart aches for you. I pray God will bring you ever deeper healing in every way!
Thank you also for this encouragement – “Now as God’s Redeemed Children Our Hearts have a Melody that we long to share and Our Lord’s Notes of Love, Joy, Hope and Peace bring much Healing to this Hurting World.” Yes! May we together cling to God’s faithfulness, even in the midst of heavy storms, and may we share His Notes of love, joy, hope, and peace to this hurting world!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Trudy for your Loving Compassion, yes I have known much Hardship and suffering in my Life but I have also experienced God’s Amazing Grace and Love shown to me by Miracles and Signs and Wonders, documented and witnessed by others too and I’m not Pentecostal.
but I do believe God is the same Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow so I do not put Him in a Box of fleshy understanding, He tells us He will Heal us so I have no doubt that He will in His time and according to His good will for us.
God’s Love and Blessings – Anne . (Grannie Annie)
LikeLiked by 1 person
God’s amazing grace and love will always be bigger, won’t they, Anne? No, we cannot put Him in a box of fleshy understanding, and He will heal us in His time and according to His good will for us. God’s love and blessings to you, too, Grannie Annie!
LikeLiked by 1 person