Father Sky sketched a beautiful vanilla overcast sky today, lot of colors caught up in his clouds, cigar smoke grays, purples and blues. Mr. North Wind blew the bamboo around in a dancing congo line. He had a bite in his wind today, nipping my ears and fingers, showing us who’s the boss before Mother Nature gets her snowflakes together and starts dropping them.

I enjoyed watching the birds on the feeders outside the lady den windows this afternoon. The titmice had their feathers all fluffed up, still alert though and on guard duty, their little crests parted by the wind gusts. Haven’t seen Fatty the squirrel or his friends today. Read squirrels will sleep in their nests during the day when temperatures go below 30 degrees. Been studying in an Alabama butterfly guide today hoping to learn the butterflies’ names I see in my garden. The guide has beautiful photos and identifies both the butterfly and the plant the butterfly is dancing on. I know so few butterflies by name but have mastered most birds.

Butterflies aren’t mentioned in biblical scripture but what a glorious example of spiritual transformation. The butterfly’s metamorphosis from a little caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly mimics Christ’s resurrection and transfiguration. Scripture in Matthew speaks of Jesus’ transformation, “His face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light”.

Butterflies symbolize freedom and joy, reminding us of the preciousness of life. I think we can compare our journeys of faith to the life of a butterfly. God changes us as our faith matures and deepens just as he changes the caterpillar into a butterfly. God doesn’t want us to conform to the world, he wants us to be transformed by our faith, to live a life of service, worshiping in his glory and grace, following his commandments.

Our spiritual transformation of beauty and joy come from living according to God’s will. God has given us glorious wings of faith. We can spread our wings and fly off God’s shoulder knowing as we fly through life he’s ready to catch us if we fail to fly and fall to the ground. We all struggle with life’s obstacles and just as the caterpillar emerges as a beautiful butterfly, God will guide us through difficult situations, transforming us through our faith. His grace and love will turn us into beautiful butterflies of faith.

“Butterflies are nature’s angels. They remind us what a gift it is to be alive.” — Robyn Nola