[JustAmy]

Graphic by Billie

To A Butterfly

I’ve watched you now a full half-hour,
Self-poised upon that yellow flower;
And, little Butterfly! indeed
I know not if you sleep or feed.
How motionless! - not frozen seas
More motionless! and then
What joy awaits you, when the breeze
Hath found you out among the trees,
And calls you forth again!

This plot of orchard-ground is ours;
My trees they are, my Sister’s flowers;
Here rest your wing when they are weary;
Here lodge as in a sanctuary!
Come often to us, fear no wrong;
Sit near us on the bough!
We’ll talk of sunshine and of song,
And summer days, when we were young;
Sweet childish days, that were as long
As twenty days are now.

Stay near me—do not take thy flight!
A little longer stay in sight!
Much converse do I find in thee,
Historian of my infancy!
Float near me; do not yet depart!
Dead times revive in thee:
Thou bring’st, gay creature as thou art!
A solemn image to my heart,
My father’s family!

Oh! pleasant, pleasant were the days,
The time, when, in our childish plays,
My sister Emmeline and I
Together chased the butterfly!
A very hunter did I rush
Upon the prey:—with leaps and springs
I followed on from brake to bush;
But she, God love her, feared to brush
The dust from off its wings.

William Wordsworth

[gardengirl]

Gorgeous!

I remember once when I was little, in the fall. We had a huge oak tree in the yard. I noticed that it was...wiggling. On closer inspection, the entire canopy was covered with Monarchs. They were on their way to Mexico. They stayed for a day or two and then they were gone. It was the coolest thing. There must have been thousands, and it opened up a whole new world to a curious little girl!

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

November 1, 2008

“Gimme It!”

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READ: James 3:13-18

My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways. —Isaiah 55:8

I heard the screams long before I could see him, but as I wheeled my grocery cart around to the next aisle of the store, there he was!

With angry tears streaming out of squinty eyes, the little boy was shouting, “Gimme it!” His mom glanced at me for a moment. I won’t debate the merits of her actions, but, embarrassed and worn down, she grabbed the cheap trinket and tossed it into her cart.

I think I recognized that kid. He looked a lot like me. Yes, I’ve often been the willful child. And sometimes I’ve even pleaded with God, “Why not? Why can’t I have it?” On occasion, God’s given me what I wanted, but not because I wore Him down. No, I think He wanted me to see what happens when I put myself in charge.

What we think is best is not necessarily the best that God desires for us. In Isaiah 55:8, the Lord said, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways.”

In his book Days of Grace, tennis champion Arthur Ashe paraphrased James 1:5 when he wrote this advice to his young daughter: “Ask God for the wisdom to know what is right, what God wants done, and the will to do it.”

That’s just the kind of sincere prayer that God wants to hear from His children.

We can’t presume to know what’s best
When we begin to pray;
So we must ask, “What honors God?”
Then seek His will and way. —Sper

If God doesn’t give us what we ask for, we can be sure that He has something far better.

Bible in One Year: James 1–5; Proverbs 12:1-14

[Lady Jag]

Good morning Amy's Place!

November Sunrise

There is nothing quite like a sunrise On a chilly November morning Bundled up in a coat and scarf Just freshly awake and yawning Sometimes a little fog will drift Along a nearby pond Awesome colors fill the sky Above the windmill and beyond Tiny chirps from the trees above Tell you birds are rising too Air so crisp and freshly delicious Visible drops of morning dew It’s a perfect way to start the day With an early morning surprise When startling colors swipe across The sky of a November sunrise! Marilyn Lott

[MEG33]

Flying by to say the opening is gorgeous..I still have company..
See you tomorrow.

[Kitty Mittens]

Oh, Amy and Billie, your Post is Breathtaking; one of the Loveliest I've Ever Seen. I Also Loved the Pics you Took of the Butterflies, Amy.

Thank you to Everyone for the Pings and Neat Posts, and LUV W, your #34 is So Right On!! Diver Dave, I Loved your Pic of Studley; he's Adorable.

[jaycee]

Gorgeous opening, Amy and Billie...outstanding! As always!

[Majie Purple]

Oh so butterfly full/beauty full/beautiful!!!