“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” – Matthew 11:28-30 TMB
Hanging on to my parsley is a monarch caterpillar. Every time I water the garden, I take care not to overspray and knock the little guy off. I want him to grow and thrive and become one of those incredible monarchs that float on the Kansas wind. Even now, the colors that wrap around him remind me of God’s creativity; stripes of orange and dark brown on a cream background. He waits in his growth while the early spring storms try to whip him away and the danger of hungry birds swarms around him. But he hangs on for dear life, waiting for that day when he gets to soar far above my herb garden into the clear sky. He reminds me to hang on and wait – that God’s timing is perfect and the end result already planned.
My resident caterpillar underlines the truth of Jeremiah 29:11. God has a good plan for me and loves me with an everlasting love. He cocoons me within the shelter of his arms while I grow and thrive in the secret place of spirituality. Even while I am in the larvae stage, God colors my life with variety and pleasure. When I hear his voice, I feel those unforced rhythms of grace surrounding me, working within me and guarding my soul’s metamorphosis. Then I break free, shake my wings and let God transport me to the next experience or the next growth spurt. Such wondrous love! Such rhythmic grace!
Which of God’s creatures speak the unforced rhythms of grace to you?
~ Rebecca Thesman