Dodging Butterflies

About five months ago I was struggling with a serious sense of loneliness. The one thing I kept coming to God with in prayer, was that I really missed having impromptu “I love you's" in my life. For no reason, out of no where, completely undeserved, “I love you”.

After a night of praying that God would help me to see and sense His impromptu I love you's for me, I woke up to peace. That morning, on my way to work, I stopped by Starbucks to get a coffee, and the cashier gave it to me for free. No reason behind it, just because… and I knew that was an impromptu “I love you”.

Since that time, I pick up on them a lot more often - and I never tire of having Him tell me that I am loved.

Around the same time I began running. I have a favorite trail, and it has a lot of trees, and nature reserves along the path. This means that I get a lot of companions on my run. I always start the run knowing that along the way God will give me something sweet - just a little gift to remind me that He is near, and that He loves me. Once, I had a little squirrel run a good tenth of a mile with me on the path! I’ve seen sweet, tiny chipmunks, and little furry bunnies on the trail, but my favorite “I love you's" are the butterflies.

There is something so inspiring about the transformation of a butterfly. God used them in a really difficult season of my life to remind me that once I got through the mess, there was something beautiful waiting on the other side. He was right, and every time I see a one still, I am reminded of His loving faithfulness and stand in awe of His goodness.

Over the past week I have literally had to dodge butterflies! Several times they have come right at me, and I’ve had to move to get out of their way. On my run tonight I had a little butterfly stick with me for a few minutes, and I was once again reminded.

I am loved - with an unconditional, never-failing, ever present, perfect LOVE.

And so are you.

What an undeserved gift.