Wonderfully Made

Butterflies can't see their wings. 

They can't see how beautiful they are, 

but everyone else can. 

People are like that.

~Unknown

You [my God] created my inmost being; 
you knit me together in my mother's womb. 
I praise you because 
I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 
your works are wonderful, 
I know that full well.

~ David, Psalm 139:13-14, NIV

The Road Ahead

Rapid City, South Dakota

As we journey through life, we may feel confident the road ahead seems straight and reasonably easy to travel, as in the photo above. We have a good idea where we're headed and have plans for getting there. But even the best-made plans can and often do go awry, don't they? One moment all is well. In the next, we're dealing with an unexpected "upset" that has left us shocked and shaken and unsure of what to do next.

Sometimes we have a warning, as in the photo below, that there will be hard-to-handle twists and turns on the road ahead. We brace ourselves; we travel more thoughtfully and slowly on the road of life, paying close attention not only to ourselves but also to fellow travelers on life's journey. We try to avoid "colliding" with them or making any errors in judgment that will end in sorrow and/or suffering.

Whether our path seems straight or full of twists and turns, may we agree with David who said, in essence, "No matter where the road of life takes me, I will not fear because You, My God, are with me. Even if my journey takes me through a deep, dark valley or if I have to travel roads that make me feel scared and uncertain, You are always with me, always guiding me, always providing everything I need to make it through life." (See Psalm 23, below.)

South Dakota

The LORD is my shepherd;

   I have everything I need. 

He lets me rest in green meadows;

   he leads me beside peaceful streams.

   He renews my strength.

He guides me along right paths,

   bringing honor to his name.

Even when I walk

   through the dark valley of death,

I will not be afraid,

   for you are close beside me.

Your rod and your staff

   protect and comfort me.

You prepare a feast for me

   in the presence of my enemies.

You welcome me as a guest,

   anointing my head with oil. 

   My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me

   all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

   forever.

~David, Psalm 23:16, New Living Translation

Carry On!

After I’d e-mailed some friends a link to the site where I’d posted the photos I’d taken recently at Callaway Gardens, one who had also photographed there that day, replied, saying, “Very nice pictures. I was disappointed that some of my butterflies had ragged wings. I see that happened to you, too.”

Although I’m awed by perfection, I was not disappointed at the sight of the ragged wings. Rather, I was inspired by the butterflies that were living life as fully as possible despite whatever trauma(s) they had endured; and I saw such incredible beauty in the parts that remained. Thus, I am delighted to display the photos I took of such courageous winged creatures and will continue to be grateful for the reminder to “carry on,” no matter what.

Happy Independence Day!

Devil's Tower in Wyoming
Quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes, 1809-1894, American physician, poet, professor, lecturer, author

The Path

Scotts Bluff National Monument, Nebraska

Summer!

Taken in Scottsbluff, Nebraska 

Extract the Valuable

Take away the dross from the silver, 

and the smith has material for a vessel…

(Proverbs 25:4, ESV).

As I read verses 4 and 5 of the 25th chapter of Proverbs, I recalled fun times when James and I panned for gems while on vacation in various states. After purchasing a 5-gallon bucket of “seeded” dirt from the owner of the gem mining tourist attraction, we'd sit on a bench beside a wooden trough filled with running water, into which each of us dipped a wooden box with a mesh bottom. Using that open-top box like a sifter, we’d dump a big scoop of dirt and gems into it. Carefully, we'd let the water rinse away the dirt that clung to the precious stones so that we could see if anything of value remained in the mesh container. We, along with other tourists seated on the long bench, exclaimed with delight when we'd see a tiny sliver or a small chunk (none were larger than half of a pecan) of emerald or garnet or quartz or ….

After we'd emptied our bucket, we'd head toward the office/gift shop, each of us carrying a small plastic container that held our collection of gems and minerals. There we'd learn the names of our stones and the value of our collection.

Although we weren’t removing dross from silver, as mentioned in Proverbs 25:4, we had been removing dirt and debris to reveal the gems and minerals. Likewise, in all of life, we must extract the precious from the worthless. Though the extraction process can be difficult and sometimes painful, we must be willing to let go of everything that isn’t good for us--and everything that doesn’t honor God.

Advice for Graduates

This is the time of year when words of wisdom are being shared with graduates during one-on-one conversations or in ceremonies or on cards sent to the graduates. Out of all the excellent advice that can be gathered from printed and online sources, as well as from life experiences of others, here’s one of the best pieces for the graduates--and everyone else:

My son, fear the LORD and the King, 

and do not join with those who do otherwise. 

Proverbs 24:21, ESV

Remember the Fallen

A reminder of the great sacrifices men and women (and their families) made to defend our way of life.