Caterpillar to Butterfly

I took a walk this morning around my neighborhood, the sun was hot and the humidity was thick. Just another summer morning in Missouri.  I was trying out my new walking shoes and I think they are going to work out fine.

The best thing about morning walks is that it gives me a chance to pray and plan my day before I get distracted. The details of life haven’t crowded in demanding my time and attention. My mind is still shaking off the fog of sleep, the most complicated thought in my head is do I want a cup of tea or a glass of juice before I go walking.

This morning I noticed the butterflies. Small yellow ones skipped from flower to flower. I noticed a large Monarch right next to the road. I stopped and watched as it fluttered around a cluster of tall weeds. Landing, it paused to open and close its wings. I regretted not bringing my camera along. I watched it until it moved too far for me to see it anymore. I returned home and got my camera, knowing that the moment had passed but hoping I would see the Monarch again. I took pictures of the small yellow butterflies and the little orange and brown ones but didn’t see the Monarch. I was disappointed as I neared the edge of my yard, until I saw it flying at a distance. I waited with my camera at the ready but it never got close enough to take a picture. I marveled at the beauty of the life of that butterfly.

I thought about the fat caterpillar that spends its life crawling around in the dirt and leaves. It goes into the chrysalis stage of its life and emerges transformed into a new creation with a skinny body and beautiful wings that allow it to fly from flower to flower. How crazy would it be for that beautiful butterfly not to use its wings but continue to crawl around in the dirt?

There have been times in my life that I have forgotten that I am a new creation. Because of Christ I am changed. I have a relationship with the King of kings. I am not who I used to be, I am His child. I have the ear of the God of the universe if I will just go humbly to Him in prayer. I have the power of the Holy Spirit living in me. Through Christ I can do anything He has called me to do. But there are days I forget that I am a butterfly and act like I’m still that caterpillar in the dirt when I have wings to rise above my circumstances.

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”  2 Corinthians 5:17

I am a new creature altogether, my previous moral and spiritual condition is no longer a part of me. Today I was reminded that I am free to rise above my doubts and fears. I don’t belong down in the dirt with them. To remain in the dirt is to deny who I am now in Christ. So I’m spreading my wings, believing and not doubting. I’m trusting and not fearing. I’m living under grace and not guilt.

Continuing to count my blessings on Multitude Monday

71.  Lessons from butterflies.
72.  God's creativity in painting butterflies.
73.  Friends to share the hard things with.
74.  Taco salad.
75.  15 children who have a home going up in heaven because of VBS last week.
76.  A pillow to rest my head on at night.
77.  Sunday afternoon naps.
78.  Eyes to see and ears to hear.
79.  New walking shoes = no blisters!
80.  The sound of a dove in the cemetery.
81.  Peaches dripping from the trees.
82.  The first bite from the heart of a watermelon.
83.  Finding a new recipe to enjoy.
84.  Hugs from church family.
85.  Meeting new neighbors.
86.  Sitting on my front porch and watching the rain come down.
87.  Watching a turtle march slowly across my yard.
88.  Seeking wisdom for the hard choices in life from the source of all wisdom.
89.  All the things that are possible with God.
90.  The definition of possible: able to be done; within the power or capacity of someone or something.