Refuge in the hidden places
Refuge in the hidden places
Psalm 91:1-2: "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'"
My daughters and I are a part hundreds of people who help those majestic creatures, monarch butterflies, migrate. Every spring we put out several buckets of milkweed and let them come gain their rest from their nectar. Eggs are laid then before too long; we start to see the little caterpillars crawling around to feast upon the milkweed leaves.
It’s an exciting process to see them nest in their cocoons and turn into beautiful butterflies for us to release.
This year was a little bit different. We let them do their thing in late spring to early June and migration season for us was done. So we thought. They do migrate back down here for winter but that is typically between August and October. They make their way to the deep forests in Mexico.
This year I let our last milkweed continue to grow and go to see. Well … this plant decided to keep growing and grow it did. It’s about 3 feet tall now. God knows what he’s doing too because come December I noticed the strangest little thing on that plant. A monarch caterpillar munching away on delicious green goodness for its tiny belly.
My daughters and I examined the plant closer and low and behold to our surprise there were over a dozen and a half of them!! The only problem was this was out of their normal season to be here. And despite the warm Texas temps we were having in December, a frigid cold snap was lurking in the calendar.
A few more days went by, and I cannot express to you the joy I saw when little chrysalis began to appear around our back porch. Some on our chimenea, and even one tucked back behind the patio chairs attached to the wall. It found its refuge.
It made me immediately think about today’s scripture
Psalm 91:1-2: "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'"
When we seek Him for our comfort from the storm, He IS strong enough to cover us to keep us safe. We may still bare some of the elements BUT we will have what we need. Just like that little caterpillar in its cocoon, sheltered from the north wind that blew fiercely from the cold snap that pushed through.
Don’t give up hope. The crawl to shelter may be difficult, but I promise you will find your refuge in the scriptures you’ve hidden in your heart, prayer time and within the worship you offer up to Him.
