“Butterfly Blessings from God” was written 6 years ago, but it’s one of the most frequently read posts these past couple of years, so I decided I’d repost it here. Sometimes it strengthens our hearts to revisit past mercies. It reminds us of how God is faithful yesterday, today, and always.
Butterfly Blessings from God
Nature is one of the channels God uses to breathe life into fainting spirits and to give assurance that He is still in control over all, no matter what happens in our lives and in this world.
At the end of May, my youngest brother was admitted to ICU with severe pancreatitis. I cried out to God to heal him and spare his life. I was afraid, and I could not trust God’s plan for him. Other anxieties for those struggling emotionally, stories not mine to tell, were also storming in my heart, threatening to drown me.
One day I took a walk and spotted a Monarch and a Painted Lady on a lilac bush. As I gazed in awe, the storm in my heart stilled as God whispered, “I’m with him, My child. I’ve got him. I’m with those who are emotionally in pain. I am with you.” The heavy load that threatened to crush me drained from me, and I could release all of them to His care and His plan.
Some time later, I was with some of my siblings and families in a park. It had been my turn this year to plan a reunion, and I needlessly worried about it for months. I love them all dearly, but crowds aren’t my thing. I’m more a one-on-one gal. I was also worried about over-doing it, because sometimes when I get out of my slower routine, health repercussions follow. Probably deeper though was the anxiety I have for anyone hurting and the helplessness I feel that I can’t “fix” things. (I’m still a work in progress in surrendering everyone’s needs to God.) As I sat at a table underneath a shelter, my heart felt grieved, my spirit disconnected, and my body tired and achy. Then there it was! A butterfly fluttering near me! And God whispered, “I’m here. I’m still with you” as He breathed His sufficient grace into my weariness. Later on, the butterfly flew by again with its reassuring love note. Thank You, God!
God continued to send me love notes through butterflies at timely moments throughout the summer. I could be looking out the window at home, driving along in our van, or taking a walk.
What was your summer like? I know many of you are suffering from losses in one way or another, and I’m so sorry. It can be hard to open our hearts to God’s messages of comfort when we are weighed down with grief, can’t it? I pray God strengthens each of you.
Did God sometimes strengthen or comfort you through His creation? How? Please feel free to share with us!
“The Lord Himself goes before you
and will be with you;
He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8
but they still fly and spread God’s encouragement.
A lesson for us that God can use us,
no matter how broken we are.
P.S. It was a long road for my brother, but by the grace of God, he is still with us today!
And now, 6 years later, butterflies are still God’s love notes to me, promises of His faithfulness to be with us always! All of God’s creation refreshes my soul, and I know it does for many of you as well. Will you share in the comments what in nature especially speaks to your heart?
Nature Retreat
“Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.”
~ E.B.White
🦋 More of Nature’s Wonders from My Brother John 🦋
Freed to Fly 
This is one of the most touching posts you’ve ever penned here, Trudy, and you can’t begin to imagine how I felt God’s presence and healing power through your words. When we are hurting for ourselves or for others, God does give us signs of life and glimmers of hope, even and especially, through the miracle of His creation. A battered butterfly can still spread its wings and soar, and so can we. Blessings!
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Thank you for your kind words, Martha. I’m so grateful you felt God’s presence and healing power. Love and blessings of more “signs of life and glimmers of hope!”
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Dear Trudy, your first posting of this touched me deeply, and now this time it’s touched me even more. Butterflies not only speak of God’s care to me, but now they speak to my daughter too, after several miscarriages when the Lord brought monarchs to speak His promise of new life to her. Would you believe we actually have a monarch caterpillar that has formed its chrysalis in a jar here in our dining room? Every day we check it out, to see if he’s ready to hatch out yet! 😭 So your post was perfect timing dear sister . I pray God blesses you for sharing His comfort to us, and to so many. ❤️❤️
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Oh Bettie, I just about decided against reposting this, but I felt God nudging me. I’m so grateful it comforted you again. How wonderful that God speaks to your daughter as well as you through butterflies! I’m so sorry about her miscarriages though. How cool that you can watch a monarch transform! 🙂 Love and blessings of God speaking life into yours and your daughter’s hearts!
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Such a beautiful post Trudy, I’m glad you shared it again.
Being near the coast God really reminds me that He is always in control & has all those I love in His hands when I spend time down by the waters edge at the end of our road.
I always feel so relaxed at the waterfront & walking along the edge of the bay with its gentle lapping waves, the salty sea breeze upon my face & the plethora of bird songs around me, this is indeed precious.
And even in a storm when we can hear the thunderous waves of the sea upon the shore at the ocean beach over the back, He again whispers, no matter the weather or conditions of life I’m still here, I’m still in control. 😊
Blessings, Jennifer
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Your beautiful description of God’s whispers to you brings a calmness to my soul, Jennifer. What a blessing to live near the coast! “He again whispers no matter the weather or conditions of life I’m still here, I’m still in control.” Amen! Thank you for this encouragement! Love and blessings of peace and strength to you!
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You’re welcome sweet friend. 😊
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Hi Trudy! I’m glad your brother is still with you today. Nature, even with it’s storms, grounds me. People are so complicated! But when you look at a tree, it is just being…well…a tree. It doesn’t judge, or lie, or hate. It grows as God intended, even using it’s long reaching roots to nurture it’s community. God knows we need nature to “refresh our souls” and rest in His presence! Love John’s photos! This summer, I’ve seen the most hawks I’ve ever seen, mostly sitting high on power poles, however one flew just a few metres above me while I was kayaking the other night. Now, I’m wondering if God is sending me hawks my way reminding my of His strength and authority.
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“People are so complicated! But when you look at a tree, it is just being…well…a tree. It doesn’t judge, or lie, or hate. It grows as God intended, even using its long reaching roots to nurture its community.” I so identify with this, Lynn. We can learn so many lessons from nature, right? And it’s so awesome that God sends you hawks to remind you of His strength and authority. Thank you for sharing this encouragement! Love and blessings of more refreshing rest in His presence!
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Love notes through butterflies oh how beautiful. What a good good God we have. Your photos are marvelous.
Visiting today from Joanne’s
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Thank you, Paula. Yes, my brother’s photos are marvelous. Love and blessings of love notes from our good good God!
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Trudy, I’m so glad your brother is still here, AND that butterflies continue to remind you of God’s faithfulness. Cardinals do something similar for me; they remind me of my mom and often appear in my yard when I need a bit of encouragement. This summer, unexpected blooms in my flowerbeds are a wonderful reminder that life comes back. Love and hugs to you, dear friend.
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Love and hugs back to you, dear friend! I love that God sends you encouragement when you need it through cardinals. And I’m so grateful He sent you unexpected blooms, too. I’ve thought of you often that you probably weren’t able to tend to your flowers this summer. Lois, thank you for encouraging me, too, by sharing this! May God bless you with further healing and strength!
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God’s creation ministers to us in ways we don’t always expect. Thank you for this reminder to be aware of His presence, His comfort, His provision, friend. Trusting that you’re experiencing His love in these final days of summer . . .
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Thank you, Linda. Truly, God’s creation does minister to us in so many ways. May we have grace to open our hearts to His faithful presence, comfort, and provision. Love, hugs, and blessings of His faithful love!
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I am so late in getting here, but your post was such an encouragement to me this morning. Butterflies are very close to my heart, due to an encounter my dear mother had when she partially crossed over to heaven three days before she actually died. Then, after she died, God sent a butterfly to me in a very miraculous way, and has used butterflies in my life ever since. They are very significant in bringing comfort and assurance. I am so thankful God had mercy on your brother. I was hoping there would be an update at the end. Is he the one who always shares his beautiful photos with us here? What a blessing they are, adding so much to your wonderful posts. I pray your health is better and you are having a good day. God bless you!
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You’re never late here, Cheryl. 🙂 I’m so glad you were encouraged. Thank you for sharing how God uses butterflies in your life. I’m so glad they bring comfort and assurance to you, too. And God has such perfect timing, doesn’t He? This is my youngest brother. It’s my oldest brother who shares beautiful photos. 🙂 Thank you for your prayers concerning my health. Much appreciated. Love, hugs, and blessings of strength and peace to you!
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The delicacy of God, Trudy, the butterfly flying to remember what leads you
to feel He is always a presence. 6 years ago are alive the same way…!…
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Yes, the “delicacy” of God. So true the way you describe Him, amvn! I love His loving reminders! 🙂 Love and blessings of His leading and presence!
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