The Bible tells us that with God anything is possible and I truly believe that. He is in interested in every aspect of our lives, and that is why I have come to seek Him in everything.
I love taking pictures of everything to be found in nature. I love seeing new birds for the first time and also trying to get them in flight. Since I have come to rely on God for everything I decided I would also ask Him for a particular birthday gift, and that was to see an eagle. So far I think I had only seen a juvenile eagle once, and now I wanted to see an adult. We don’t have too many eagles where I am, so I thought I had to go somewhere far away, but then I decided why not ask God to send an eagle my way, for we know that with God anything is possible.
It happened to be my birthday weekend and I was going on a little birding trek with my husband, so I asked the Lord if He would allow me to see an eagle for my birthday. We set off early in the morning to the dismay of my husband as it was rather cool out, and I went with the intention of seeing an eagle. It was a crisp fall morning as we walked along-side the lake. A few joggers and walkers could also be seen along the trail. I happened to spot a butterfly on a leaf, then my husband spotted another one, then we saw another two or three butterflies. Then my eyes were drawn upward to a very thick dark part on the tree.
As I looked closer what I thought to be a bird’s nest turned out to be a cluster of butterflies. It was a pretty awesome sight to behold. The butterflies had rested there over-night and now they were waiting for the wind to blow in the right direction and take them out over the lake and all the way in to Mexico. We watched the butterflies for a while as more and more of them left the leaves and started to fly around as they feasted on the field of goldenrod which was situated beneath the tree.
The pictures I took that day can never compare to what we saw with our eyes. There were maybe 500 – 1000 monarch butterflies. It was an amazing sight to see. So we went back home and my heart was glad even though I didn’t see the eagle. God had allow me to see this spectacular sight, and for that I was thankful.
Later that evening I called my friend Judy to tell her of the spectacular number of butterflies we had seen. I also told her that I had prayed and asked God to allow me to see an eagle. And she asked, “Did you, did you?” I said no, but I also told her I was very happy to have seen so many monarch butterflies in one place. It was a simply awesome sight to behold. After I got of the phone, the Holy Spirit spoke to me reminding me that today was not actually my birthday. I thought about that, and He was right. Even though I had gone for a walk with my hubby on that particular day, expecting to see an eagle, it really wasn’t my birthday—so there was still hope, as Judy and I had plans to spend a bit of time outdoors the very next day.
Judy came early and we headed to one marsh, but nothing was in sight. We left there and as we were headed down the road to another marsh Judy yelled out, “What’s that big bird up ahead?” I in turn was asking, “Where, where?” As I couldn’t see anything. Finally I saw it and I started clicking the camera, clicking and clicking. The bird flew to a tree out in the middle of the meadow and I snapped a few more photos.
We sat there for a bit as I took a closer look at the pictures on the camera. I knew what the bird look like to me, but I showed it to Judy to see what she thought. Well she took one look at it, and then she started to cry. I asked her why she was crying and she said, “Because you asked God to allow you to see eagle for your birthday, and He did.” He actually did. How awesome was that.
So she turned the car around and we headed back up the road as we now wanted to go down another road in hopes of getting a closer look at the eagle. While we were going down the road we spotted so many flickers close by, and that was another bird I wanted to see, but we didn’t have the time to stop.
We got to a spot close to the tree, got out of the car and we got a little closer to where the eagle was perched. It stayed there for quite some time and so did we. Finally it started to fly off, and we watched in awe as it did. I didn’t cry, but I was quite in awe, because I asked God to allow me to see and eagle on my birthday and for some reason He saw fit to do so. That was pretty special.
Well in our eagerness to see the eagle I had miss out on seeing another on the birds I love to see and that is the Flicker. Oh well, there is always a next time. However, I would not have to wait too long till the next time.
The next day while at home I walked into the kitchen and something caught my eye in the garden. At first I thought it was a dove, but when I took a closer look, there was a flicker in the rock garden. I could not believe it. I had never seen a flicker in our backyard before. Since I didn’t have my camera in the kitchen I decided I would just stay and drink in it’s beauty with my eyes.
I stood watch the flicker for a while and after it didn’t seem hurried I ran upstairs, got the camera and came back. I thought it was gone at first, but as I looked closer, it was still there. I took many pictures of it in the garden, so then I thought, “Dear Lord, it would be nice to get it in another position.” Just then it flew up on the bird bath and I was able to get a few more shots.
So I had a spectacular birthday, filled with much beauty from nature. I asked God to allow me to see an eagle, but He also saw fit for me to see the beauty of the migrating butterflies and also to see the beautiful flicker.
With God anything truly is possible. Perhaps if I had grumbled about the butterflies and not seeing the eagle the day before things may have turned out differently. But I was truly happy with what He had provided.
©Leola Durant
Thanks for sharing your wonderful testament and amazing photographs. The clusters of monarchs is something that I have never witnessed. You had to feel such thankfulness for having the opportunity to take photos of your long-awaited rendezvous with a bald eagle. God provides for us in mysterious ways, and He rewarded your patience.
Thanks for reading bigskybuckeye, yes God is absolutely amazing. Even though I had asked Him for an eagle I would have been happy with the beauty of the butterflies He provided. I wish I could have captured the magnificence I saw with my eyes. It was spectacular and I was content.
So often I may go out and might not see much of anything so this was certainly a birthday to remember. I had a three-day celebration with my God, my Saviour, my Best Friend, my Provider.🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🦅🦅
Oh wow, Leola! What a beautiful, inspiring post! Your words & photos have me smiling so big this morning. 🙂 Wonderful!
Thanks Christine, it was a pretty awesome experience. It left me my mouth open 😮😮 it left my friend crying. I wanted to see an eagle, but God saw fit to show me so much more. It was stunning. When these things happen they become a faith booster for me. It was as though He was celebrating my birthday with me.
Those are marvelous experiences you are fortunate to share, as are we to enjoy this posting.
Thank you so much Michael, it’s an experience that I will forever cherish. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Leola this was a truly wonderful testimony! God is so awesome. Its all about waiting upon Him and that’s where I get impatient. Yours is a testimony of being patient. Iron sharpening iron. By the way… Happy Birthday!
Hi usathroughoureyes this took place about 2 years ago, but thanks for the Birthday wish. So I have to be honest with you and let you know that I’m not always patient when it comes to waiting on God, but for some reason, I was pretty satisfied to see all those butterflies. They filled my heart with joy. I use to go out and sometimes complain that I saw nothing –now if it’s just a blade of grass blowing in an unusual way I am happy. Just to breathe the fresh air is enjoyable, but I am learning and trying to become more patient.🙏🏽🙏🏽
We enjoyed this response immensely and can relate to being thankful for ALL things and the constant endeavor to grasp and hold firmly to patience.
Yes, amen. To be patient is a daily endeavour.
This is so amazing! I love this story! Proof that God does give us what we ask for, but on His timing! Beautiful photos, too. I love all those butterflies.
He certainly does Michelle and that’s why I will forever lift up and magnify His name. He certainly is worthy to be praised. I’m not sure why He saw fit to answer that particular prayer, but He did. The butterflies were amazing. They are all the pictures from that weekend except the one of the eagle in flight. The eagle perched in the tree was the one we actually saw. When you think about it, the butterflies, the eagle and the flicker— they all showed up at His command.
That’s really cool, praise God! 🙂
It was truly an amazing experience!!
You are so talented! You capture the most beautiful moments in life! It delights me to look at your pictures 😊
You’re so kind, thank you.🙏🏽🙏🏽
That is totally awesome!! I love great photos you took of the eagle.
What a unique way for God to say…see, I do hear your prayers 🙂
Thanks Stuart. I know –isn’t that awesome!! The picture of the eagle perched in the tree is the actual one from that day .
Leola thank you for sharing such a beautiful part of your life with us. Just a reminder how amazing God is and that nothing is impossible with him.
Yes, He’s so amazing, and that He’s interested in the smallest details of our lives is so awesome!!
Amen-Amein Sweet Sister in Christ-Messiah Jesus-Yeshua!!
May Our ONE True GOD the FATHER who art in HEAVEN ABOVE and HIS SON Christ-Messiah Jesus-Yeshua Bless All my Sisters and Brothers and my Devout Messianic Jewish Sisters and Brothers in Christ-Messiah Jesus-Yeshua and my Devout Jewish Sisters and Brothers and Your Families and Friends Forevermore!!
Our ONE True GOD’S LOVE 💕 is ETERNAL THROUGH HIS SON Christ-MESSIAH Jesus-Yeshua for Today and Everyday Forevermore Everyone!!
I Love you all Everyone through Jesus-Yeshua Christ, because HE LOVED EVERYONE FIRST!! 💕 Praise Jesus-Yeshua Christ-Messiah for Today and Everyday!!
Love 💕 Always and Shalom, YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to read. Blessings!🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
When I survey the wonderous cross 🙏
God died that we might live and He gives us only good gifts.
Wow!!! How awesome is our God! Beautiful pictures. He knows us so well and His love for us knows no bounds. He delights in making His children smile and joy in delight of His creation. Thank you for sharing this is truly amazing.
Thanks, yes God never cease to amaze me. Just when I think I know Him there is always something else to know about Him. His is really interested in every little detail about us. Thanks for reading and I’m so glad you liked it.