Dragonflies

     On Monday my m-i-l brought Aowyn home from pre-k and commented at the amount of dragonflies swarming our yard.  I looked out the front window, and sure enough, there were dragonflies all everywhere!  Joan said that it wouldn't be hard to imagine what the plagues were like, but I immeadiately wondered what it meant. Now, before you freak out and think I look for meaning and signs in everything, let me tell you I don't!  But I am realzing that there is a lot of depth to the world around us, and God speaks to us through His creation.  Hey, He said to consider the ant, and even though we know they are strong and hard workers they can still be a bane if they invade your kitchen!
     So, I rushed to the computer and googled the symbolism of dragonflies and was amazed.  Dragonflies belong to the scientific family Odonata, which means 'tooth' in Greek, though it is now know that they don't actually have teeth but a really strong jaw!  Change and self-realisation are two of the common symbolisms for the dragonfly, probably the result of their development from water dwelling nymph to adult dragonfly. Two things that have definitely been happening in me!  I haven't been living in water, but since August God has been working in me and showing me things about myself.  The dragonfly's iridescence is also symbolic of the discovery of one's own ablities and casting away your self doubts and illusions of your self.
     The physical facts about this incredible insect are inspiring as well.  A dragonfly has amazing strength and agility.  It can fly 45 mph, and beats it's wings about 30 times a minute (compared to a fly, which beats it's wings 600-100 bpm!), and has 20 times the strength of most other insects.  We should be as efficient, as Christians!  It can also fly in all six directions- up/down, side to side, and frontwards and backwards!  Think of a much more graceful helicopter.  I want to have that agility, speed and responsiveness in the way I love.   
     Last, but not least, have you seen those eyes?  Kinda creepy, especially with the iridescence (I feel like I am staring at someone with those massive sunglasses).  But, they have 360 degree vision!  It is key for us to have clear vision, and is vital to our repsonsiveness.  We need to have uninhibited vision in our spiritual eyes for discernment and walking in wisdom.  We need to see beyond the moment and the mundane. 
     The dragonflies were only around for an hour or so, and only at my house!  I knew this wasn't a normal occurence, since we have no bodies of water in our immeadiate vicinity.  So glad that God chose to reveal Himself and bless me through His creation. 

A Little Voice Finds It's ...Voice

     I have been reading "Chazown" by Craig Groeshel- a must read for anyone wanting to see their vision more clearly.  Every morning I have been journaling about my thoughts and answering the questions posed by the book.  Slowly the pieces are coming together and forming a picture.  What do I want to be known and remembered for?  What are my core values, passions, and dislikes?  What has happened in my past, good and bad, that have made me what I am today?  God has been bringing to my rememberance experiences, clues to who I am and was created to be.
      Here was one of those flashes:  When I was 2 or 3 I was with my mom at the laundromat and stood up on the table and began singing "Jesus Loves Me" at the top of my lungs.  I don't recall this particular instance clearly, but my mom has recounted it plenty of times!  I also have pictures to prove that I held concerts for my parents where I would sing with an old microphone in the living room.  No doubt that I have a passion for music and enjoy the stage!  Later in my teen years I was very active in my church's youth worship band and community theatre.  Now I love worshipping with The Revolution's worship team.
     What a sad thing that I have doubted the fullness of my calling.  My husband. Abram, is an awesome worshipper.  I have always known that our gifts compliment and work together, but somehow I have felt that my worshipping takes second place to his.  But God wants MY worship, and values it apart from anything else.  And of course, the awesome thing is that He put us together to multiply our gifts!  (And that is not just in our offspring.)
     There are so many other things that I know God has placed in me and wants for me, and I am amazed at the depths He created in me.  As the words flow, both here and in my private journaling, everything sharpens and the vision becomes clearer.  I encourage you to put words to your thoughts and find your voice.  Please be blessed and share!