The Path of a Butterfly

By Isabella Franco,

When the monarch butterfly first hatches out of its chrysalis, she has never flown before. She also has never gone on this journey before until now. But, that doesn’t stop her. She still flies off on the journey of 3,000 miles all the way from Canada to Mexico. This reminds me of the story in the Bible when God guided the Israelites through the desert to the Promised Land. The Israelites didn’t know where they were going, but God led them to the Promised Land safely. Numbers 9:22 reads: Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. The cloud in this verse is God and when God left the tabernacle the Israelites followed him to a new camping spot. God also gave food to them. I believe that, just like the Israelites, God is guiding the butterflies’ journey too! God can guide the

Israelites and the butterflies, but he can guide your life too! You just have to read and obey his word. On the way to Mexico, there are lots of obstacles in the way of the butterflies like birds, cars, spiders, and storms. But God has given the monarchs all that they need to make it to Mexico. But the biggest obstacle is Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes. The butterflies have to make a 100-mile trip across Lake Erie with no stops! Sounds impossible, right? But God has given the monarchs extra energy storage in their abdomen to make the long flight. This reminds me of the story in the Bible when God helped the Israelites break down the walls of Jericho. Joshua 6: 3-4 and verse 20 reads: March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven

priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 20 When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city. The walls of Jericho were so thick that people had their homes inside of them! Can you believe that a wall as thick as a house can crumble to the ground in a snap? Or that a little butterfly can go 100 miles without any stops? I believe that, just like how God helped the Israelites overcome their obstacle, God is helping the monarch butterflies overcome theirs. Don’t forget that God can help you overcome the obstacles in your life too. You just have to ask and have faith that he will help. When the butterflies finally reach Mexico, they start to go into hibernation (or a deep sleep) for the winter. When spring comes, they wake up and lay eggs. But sadly, they die right after laying their eggs. You may think that the story ends here, but it doesn’t. When the eggs hatch, they will eat, grow, and turn into new butterflies that will then migrate back to Canada. But, it can take four to five generations for the monarchs to migrate back to Canada! Each generation knows exactly where to go on the journey right after they hatch! Isn’t it amazing how the butterflies know exactly which path is right to take? It’s even more amazing that God knows what path is right for us to take. Psalms 119:105 reads: Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. It’s remarkable to know that God has a special plan just for us. But we have a choice to make. We can listen and obey God or we can go our own way. Proverbs 3:5-6 reads: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. If we choose to trust and obey God he will show us the right path for us to take. But if we choose to go our own way, we will be lost and never be found. So, it is up to us to make the right choice and follow God! Will you choose today to follow God and trust him to put your life on the right path? Who knew you could learn so much about God from the journey of one little butterfly! Thank you.

Isabella Franco, 11 years old, was given the opportunity to share her talents in an event for kids hosted by the Assemblies of God called Fun Arts this past October. In this event, kids get to exercise their skills in different categories. Isabella loves God and nature and was inspired to write the above short sermon blending her passions.

- Memories and Musings by Julia Nation

“God Friended Me”

“God Friended Me” was a popular television program. In the show God is a friend to Miles on a social media account. God sends a friend suggestion to Miles and Miles with the help of two friends locates the person, finds out what his problem is and helps the person with the problem by the end of an hour. During every episode Miles insists that he does not believe in God, yet he has to help the person in need because it is so exhilarating to be used to solve the problems of another individual.

I enjoyed the show because I know that God uses others to meet needs when they arise in the lives of individuals. Also, I know that God uses those who do not believe in Him to be the solution for individuals who are believers. But God doesn’t have a social media account, and He isn’t sending friend suggestions through the Internet. In fact, in most instances people don’t realize who specifically helped to meet their need. “Things just work out” is the response we usually hear.

As we approach a New Year,” I tend to reflect back on the times that I know God used others to meet needs in my life. One occasion was in 1968 when I was a student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. I needed a parttime job that paid more than the babysitting position I had. When I saw an ad in the newspaper for a cashier at Sears, I felt God said, “That’s the job for you.” My lack of experience did not deter me from applying for the job. During the interview, I insisted that I was able to handle the tasks required of a cashier and I was hired. The seasoned employees told me that when the manager returned from the interview, she said, “She has no experience, but she says she can do the job.” Working as a cashier at Sears is where I met my husband. God had used the manager to meet more than one need in my life.

In the 1980s, I again needed a job. We had closed two businesses and my husband wanted me to return to teaching. I had no idea where to look for work, but I was having lunch with two friends from college and felt that I needed to tell them about my need of a job. We had lunch on Thursday, and on Friday my friend Vicki called my house to tell me about a teaching position in a small school district north of Humble. That position was a new beginning in teaching for me, and Vicki was excited that God had used her to meet my need.

As the saying goes, hindsight is 20/20. It’s rare that we know immediately when God uses someone to meet

a need in our life. It’s usually years later when we can look back and see how God provided in a situation. I do know that God is not sending my name as a friend suggestion on social media. However God works, though, I am thankful that He does work in mysterious ways and guides individuals to help each other every day.

I wish a Happy New Year to each of you, and a year during which you will be able to say, “God Friended Me.”

Julia Woodyard Nation was born in her home two miles west of Humble. She is a graduate of Aldine High School, but her family was active in the Humble area. Julia received her BS degree from Mary Hardin-Baylor College, Belton, TX. In 1974, Julia and her family moved to Humble where she became involved in a local church and owned and operated a bookstore for nine years. Julia taught in public schools for over thirty years and retired from the Humble ISD. She enjoys traveling and has visited all fifty states. Julia is also a published author. Her book “The Substitute Workshop “ is a preparation guide for teachers and substitutes. For more information on her book: thesubworkshop.com

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