She will dance with dragonflies!!!

Happy Tuesday to all, as I sit here eagerly anticipating the sunrise...it is a nice reminder that even though I cannot see it...that it WILL come up and over that mountain, at its appointed time. I think about Jesus Christ...he will come back for us and take us into paradise...at GOD'S appointed time....just as the night turns to day our souls will turn as well. Until that time I will live to the best of my ability the way that I know will make our Father in Heaven pleased for I certainly do not want to get left behind! I pray that today is a day of love, a day of joy, and a day of happiness for you. Remember to the world you might just be one person but to at least one person you are the world! 

In my morning chat with Father God this morning I felt so at peace, I felt so loved, and I felt such honor in getting to share special time with him in the safety of my little home. There were many calls for prayer yesterday that I feel should be shared this morning, so many losses of loved ones that I feel we need to life special prayers for the families. So many who are in the darkness that are in need of special attention and love to get them out. Prayer is such a wonderful thing, I have seen blessing upon blessing from prayer, will you join me in lifting my arms towards God and asking for favor and mercy for all?. 

Father God we come to you this morning lifting the name of Bob Burke, he has struggled so with his health and is in need of a sure and total healing, be with Bob this day as he goes through another procedure. Father if it be your will to bring him back to strength and to continue his journey here on earth lay your healing hands upon him and allow him your strength to come out of his sickness. Father his family stands at his side willing him to live, his loved ones stand in the unknown wondering what will happen today, calm each of them with your love, pull them into your lap and allow their weary minds rest. Father we believe in you and we understand that all things are of you, we stand firm in our faith that you will lead us through what is to come and that your will be done. I ask for comfort from pain, for calm from fear, and for peace from worry. I come to you father asking for mercy and peace for those who are suffering the loss of loved ones, allow them knowledge that this is but a stepping stone to all things good, that one day they will be called home such as their loved one has been and there will be a great reunion just beyond the gates of heaven, all pain and suffering will be gone and there will only be perfection in body and mind. Father lay hands upon those who are crying this morning, allow them to see that their loved one has passed over into paradise and that it is the beginning for them. Father take in your arms the ones who are struggling with life, allow them the knowledge that you are walking right beside them and that although they feel they are failing that they are simply learning life's lessons, comfort them in knowing that you will never step away from them as long as they believe and continue to reach out to you. I reach out to you Lord asking for mercy upon a mother in law who received a poor diagnosis with a not so bright prognosis, if you would comfort her and her family this day in knowing that she has lived life well and come what may that you are carrying her and each of them, take their fear and turn it in to abundant faith, let them not be filled with discomfort, keep them in your arms and fill them with strength and love. Father I love you and I know that the only way to eternal happiness and joy is through you. I bow my head humbly asking for these mercies and graces in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

I love this little story and think you will as well!  Your comments are always appreciated! 

She Will Dance With The Dragonflies

Pappy and I were enjoying a leisurely boat ride on the pond, as his aged dog sat between us. Her grayed face could not hide the telltale tiredness in her faded eyes. 

“She was so sick yesterday.” He told me. “I thought I’d loose her.” 

I rubbed my hand down her back, feeling her glistening fur between my fingers. 

“I prayed to God to give her more time.” He continued. “I don’t know if people pray for their dogs, but I did.” 

Pappy tells me things he tells no one else. I understood, and nodded. He knew what I knew. An unspoken bond we shared in our love for animals. He knows my heart, and I know his. 

And, not just any animal. All animals, great and small, no matter how minuscule. No matter how overlooked. No matter how irrelevant. We love them all. 

I too, have prayed for my animals. God listens. He will send you a sign. He will tell you when its time to let go. He will comfort you, and guide you, as you carry on. 

The spring wind carried our small craft across the pond, until the boat gently drifted against the footbridge, and came to a quiet stop. The waves lulled us gently, as we enjoyed the amber sun. His little dog sighed in contentment, and laid down her tired head for a quick nap. 

A tiny creature clung desperately to the side of the bridge, as the waves splashed against it, threatening to carry it away. I leaned over, and drew the boat alongside it. 

It was a newly-born dragonfly, its opulent wings still crumpled, and not yet dried for it to take flight on the wings of the new season. I gently placed my finger under it, hoping to propel it up the bridge post, and away from the water. 

Instead, it fell into the pond. Only minutes old, it spun helplessly in a whirlpool as the waves tried to pull it under forever. 

I reached out, and plucked it from the water. 

“What is it?”  Pappy asked. 

“It’s a newly hatched dragonfly, he can’t even fly yet.” I replied. 

Pappy took the insect from my soggy palm, and cradled it against his chest. Its tiny eyes burned kaleidoscope colors at me, as we rowed toward the shore. He carefully held the creature in the safety of his palm, as he stepped from the boat. 

I laid my hand on his dog, and watched as he found the perfect stand of wildflowers and flowing grasses for the insect to finish its metamorphosis. Soon, it would burst forth from its grassy nook, and glide on wings of air across the crystalline waters. 

Maybe God had sent pappy a sign with the tiny dragonfly. A symbol that he had heard him pray for his tired dog. Unspoken words from high above reassuring him that he is not the only one who prays for his dog. A sign to let him know that when her time on earth is done, that she will still be with him. 

Pappy eased back into the boat, and hugged his weary dog close, as we drifted into the sunset. 

We know one day she will be the glistening wings on that new spring dragonfly. Her bones will no longer ache. Her eyes will no longer carry the tiredness of many years of a good life. 

She will dance with the dragonflies, high and free. She will alight on a stand of willows near the glistening river, and journey along with pappy as he carries on. He will never walk alone. 

God had indeed heard his prayer, and he had answered.

~ Shelley Madden ~