LUNCH WITH GOD

Scripture: "God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow.  He will surely do even more for you"  Matthew 6:30 (CEV)

Patsy Clairmont, a Christian writer, wrote in Joy Breaks, "Lord, let's do lunch, just the two of us...we'll talk.  Amen"

It had been a difficult winter with ice storms and blizzards.  Spring had come late. The four days of steady April rain with its warmer temperatures, made the new leaves of the tree-link rhododendron bushes on our company's property, a lush green.  That may morning as I turned my car into the parking lot, I saw that the rhododendron flowers had suddenly bloomed to a vivid magenta color.  I praised God for their unexpected beauty and decided to return lunchtime to photograph and enjoy those magnificent flowers close-up.

My morning was filled with worry about my family's illnesses, demanding projects at work, church and at the hospital where I volunteered.  Why did life have to get so complicated and difficult?

When lunch time arrived, I left my office eager to get to my camera and the flowers.  Walking through the new soft spring grass, I saw a swallowtail butterfly feeding on the first bush I saw.  I, immediately, looked to the heavens.  I knew God was telling me that I should not worry.  He took care of the butterflies and flowers, He would surely take care of me who was made in His Image.  I felt an assurance that I would be able to work through my problems.  I took several pictures with the noisy rewinder of my Minolta grinding away.  The butterfly did not move.  I had read that when a butterfly is feeding, it is oblivious to noises or vibrations around it.  Neither does God move away from us when problems surround us.

As I returned to work, I smiled at one of my employees.  She followed me into my office, asking me whom I had lunch with.  Although I said that I had been alone, she commented, "You look so relaxed.  You must have had lunch with a special someone!"  I replied, "If you must know, I had lunch with God!"

Prayer:  Father, thank you for the talks and lunches we have together.  Amen.