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.