He has made everything beautiful in its time. —Ecclesiastes 3:11a NKJV

Have you ever been blessed by a butterfly? I have. Let me share my story. My husband and I were biking along a road by the sea in Maine, enjoying the ocean views, the lovely day, and the joy of being able to listen and watch, healthy and together. Suddenly, I noticed a strange sight in the bushes beside the road: a beautiful monarch butterfly was caught in a spider web, frantically fluttering as it tried to escape.

I parked my bike and looked closely. Impossible to escape. Too many strands of the web were holding it captive. The more it tried, the more tangled it became—a death trap! I tried to help and gently untangled pieces of the web. Slowly, I was able to remove the remaining bits from the butterfly, the last strand gone, and it was free! It shook its wings and escaped, flying high into the air until I lost sight of it. How can I describe my joy as I watched it, free and flying happily away!

God has created so many beautiful creatures—butterflies, birds, puppies, kittens, flowers, forests—and people like you and me. And He cares for each one of us. He gave butterflies the instinct to fly south when the world gets cold so that they can spend the winter in Mexico, and then somehow, they know when to return and where to go. The returning butterflies are now a new generation, but still they know. God cares for them. And God cares for us. Think about it. My hand was able to rescue the butterfly—my little human hand. Now think about the hand of God and how infinitely more He is able to care for you and me.

Have you ever felt as if you were in a web of busyness, too much to do? Or perhaps a web of loneliness, sadness, depression, in shock? My little human hand rescued that butterfly. How much more will God rescue us? We need to let Him take us by His hand. The butterfly may have been frightened when another danger came along (my hand), and yet it accepted my help. We need to take hold of our Heavenly Father’s hand and let Him lead us. He will take away the web that keeps us in fear, strand by strand, and guide us gently to everlasting life.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 139:9-10 NIV

Dear Lord, please help me when I feel overwhelmed with regret, grief, or just busyness. Help me remember that You are there, and I can reach for Your hand.

Margaret is Sharon’s Mum. She and her husband just celebrated 70 years of marriage! They enjoy hiking, biking, canoeing, and just being outdoors, watching wildlife. Margaret played the piano for many years as part of a nursing home ministry. She has written many articles for her church newsletter, and some of these have been compiled into a trilogy of books: Holding My Father’s Hand, Holding My Daughter’s Hand, and Holding My Heavenly Father’s Hand, all available here on Amazon.

Saved by grace,
Margaret Fowler

Sweet Selah Ministries

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

Donate
If you’ve been blessed, keep the blessing going!
Click over to our Donation page … and thanks.

Share it. Pin it.