You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.
Psalm 119:114
As September has long faded from this year’s calendar, it’s birthday flower symbol the aster, still lingers along the sides of country roads. Frost after frost has tainted other foliage, yet the aster lingers.
Purple asters symbolize wisdom and royalty and are the most popular color seen in the aster family. The word “aster” comes from the Greek word for “star”; for it’s flower petals are arranged in a star-like fashion. They are a striking flower with bright yellow centers surrounded by deep, rich purple petals.
Many cultures have tales to tell of the “star” blooms. My favorite was from a story told in France when bouquets of asters were placed on the graves of fallen soldiers. They were a representation of a wish that the battle had had a different outcome. Too often we all have that hope when we battle our own trials; that the outcome has been different.
Whatever your hope is today, may you seek wisdom from God and find safety in Him.
In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
I Thessalonians 5:18
Every community has them. That landmark or icon which makes home. One of our endearing small town images was the elephant slide.
Research shows these slides were first made in 1950’s. We had one in our local park. As time passed, other playground equipment was added. But whenever we left the park, it was the small elephant slide the kids begged to go down.
Just a few years ago, as I was visiting the park with some of my grandkids, our dear elephant slide was being removed. Off to some circus event, we laughed. No one really thought it was funny.
Change is part of life. I am reminded not to get too attached to the everyday familiar things of life. Although, I do believe we can enjoy little treasures in our communities which bring a bit of joy; change will come.
To our surprise, one of my grandkids spotted a memorial to the beloved elephant slide yesterday as we admired the new mosaic murals in our downtown area. There he was all shiny and bright!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new
2 Corinthians 5:17
They change before my eyes: translucent, transparent telling of coming changes chanting their farewells across the sky.
If trees could talk what would be said of their transformation? Would willows weep or birches balk as their leaves are wisp away?
Maples seem to chatter in wind; while oaks remain stately and only rumble, rattle, roar as autumn exits clinging to their crisp leaves till spring.
My life could be as those sturdy oaks torn by stormy winds on darken days, as seasons change by hand of God I choose to cling to Him until spring again!
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
Colossians 2:8
At first glance you’d think this was a beautiful sunset. It wasn’t. I took a photo of the sun rising last week on a chilly morning. Though the warm hues seemed to shout, “Bedtime!”, it was the beginning of a new day.
This led me to think of others things in life that can deceive us. Of course, advertising is a great example of sharing false information. Commercials, most likely, are at the top of the list. Every pictured hamburger shown across the television screen is not delicious.
Then there’s campaign advertising. This can be the most deceitful verbiage that crosses our paths. “Lies, lies lies!” my momma use to say decades ago. How does one know who to vote for? Is it the person who tells the least amount of lies?
I think we live in a society that thrives on deception. The act of deceiving seems to come natural for many. Honesty is a quality often missing in the lives of people. So how can the act of deception turn to truth? I would suggest by one person at a time. Let it start with each of us. Think before you speak.
The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever.
I John 2:17
More than a decade has fluttered away like the monarch butterflies that migrate south. I really can’t tell you where time has gone. Yet, here we are, with a little girl who has grown into womanhood.
I’ve enjoyed the years of grand-parenting. I will admit, my stamina is not like it once use to be. It’s still thrilling when anyone of my grandkids come for a visit, as time moves forward.
Time is something we have no control over, except for being on time. Or how we may use our time. As a follower of Jesus, it’s important to consider what we do with our time. There are so many things the world has to offer us. Often, our eyes are distracted on worldly pursuits instead of considering spiritual things.
It’s a new week. What is God calling you to do? Maybe it’s to help to train a child or grandchild? Or perhaps, to refresh your time to pray for others. Some may need to rekindle their time by reading the Word of God. Most of us will be given opportunities to monitor our day in a way that will glorify God. What choices will you make?
But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from gloryto glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
II Corinthians 3:18
Woolly bear caterpillars, also called woolly worms, have a reputation for being able to forecast the coming winter weather; as legend has expressed. If the rusty band is wide, then it will be a mild winter. The more black there is, the more severe the winter. Can this weather lore be true? Or is it more realistic to believe there are greater changes?
After years of testing this theory, the results showed evidence that the coloration of the woolly bear did give a weather prediction. However, be careful for not all woolly bears enjoy this talent. Evidently, totally black woolly bears are not weather projectors.
If that is true, the woolly bear in my photo can tell us nothing so breath easy. Hopefully, a rough winter us not upon us! Yet, he was a charming find climbing five feet in the air on my elderberry bush.
Totally black woolly bears are just another species in the same category as the rust and black ones. Woolly bears hatch twice a year, usually June and September. The second generation of caterpillars are the “weather prophets,” according to specialists.
These critters enjoy violets, lambs quarter (different from lamb’s ear), and clover. Their goal in life is to find a place to hide for the winter. Woolly bears spend the winter as larva. Then in the month of May, they emerge as the Isabella moth. The fuzzy, brittle bug now takes on the shape of a fragile, delicate moth. Their transformation has been completed.
If those who are followers of Jesus and come before the throne of God daily with opened minds (unveiled faces) to receive the hope of the gospel (our salvation); then another transformation (final glorification) will one day take place in our lives. Unlike the woolly bear, it will take more than a season before a complete spiritual change happens. It takes a lifetime of exploring the Word of God.
Hide your heart in God who continues to transform us daily, if we’re willing, until our final day of glorification in heaven. The day when those who have accepted Jesus’ great sacrifice will join Him for eternity. Read His Word.
