A ministry of Watermark Church, Anchored Sisters is women connecting with women to make an impression and leave a mark for Jesus Christ.  Anchored in His love, together we Support, Inspire, Share, Teach, Encourage, Respect and Serve one another.
September 22, 2020
Butterfly Friends
Butterfly Friends I was lonely. I had moved to a new home and left behind my friends in Charlotte. My heart ached for a friend but, so far, I hadn't met anyone. One day, I was walking by myself and cried out to God in prayer. "Lord God, please send me one friend!" A couple of weeks later, I had an appointment with a husband and wife dental practice in Huntersville. Since they had just moved to the area to start their practice, Dr. Debbie cleaned my teeth as well as did my exam. Debbie chatted away as she worked. I nodded and tried to converse with instruments crowding my mouth. 

I dread going to the dentist but my time in the chair that day was fun. On impulse, I asked Debbie, "Would you and your husband like to come to dinner at our house this week?" That began a friendship spanning decades as we journeyed through the stages of life together. 

Debbie's faith in Christ has been an inspiration to me...especially when her husband, Steve, was diagnosed with ALS, and seven years later died from this dreaded disease. Her faith was tested shortly after his death when she was diagnosed with lung cancer, a shock to both of us as she pursues healthy practices and has never smoked. Her honesty with God in difficult circumstances reminds me of Habakkuk's declaration in Habakkuk 3:17-18. Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stall, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. 

This week Debbie sent me a text that contained the following photo and message. I asked her if I could share it with my Anchored Sisters and she agreed. Hope it will inspire you too!



I planted this butterfly weed in the spring. It grew tall but did not bloom. I was so disappointed. No blooms! How would it ever attract and feed butterflies? Today, I found it covered in caterpillars...and not just any caterpillars. Monarch butterfly caterpillars!!! They aren't yet the fluttery, ethereal orange and black creatures God intends them to become. Although I may not get to see them transition to this miraculous stage of life, I am thankful to have witnessed this small beginning, to have been a part of the cycle, a participant in what is to come. 

I'm glad I didn't follow my first instinct which was to pull up the non-flowering, disappointing bush by its roots when it grew large and hid the brilliant blooms of neighboring plants. Maybe now I will be more open to waiting on the Lord, trusting that a seemingly unlikely or unwanted circumstance is as surely a part of His plan for my life as those that readily appear good and perfect. Oh, taste and see. 

Father God, thank You for sending us butterfly friends like Debbie who partner with You in encouraging us through the many stages of our lives. They give us the vision needed to remember that caterpillars can become butterflies and the unwanted circumstances we find ourselves in can become vehicles for Your Glory.

Join Anchored Sisters As We Walk for Life!

Anchored Sisters has a team walking to support the Lake Norman Pregnancy Center in their annual Walk for Life fundraiser.

Join us on October 3 at 9 am at the Watermark Church Campus.  Click here to register and select the Watermark Anchored Sisters team.  Spread the word to encourage your community to support you!

Contact Michelle Newton with any questions 704.677.8599.
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