Colored by My Little Butterfly

Mary Ellen brought home this beautiful picture today.  I asked her who colored it.  She answered indignantly, “I did. Why?” I responded, “I love it!”

Sometimes on the bus they color pictures for each other. So my question was totally within reason.  When I saw the picture, I loved the colors, the technique, the feel, and the expression.  Maybe, I am a little surprised and maybe, even, a little jealous.

It has a “freeness”, if that is a word.  I can remember coloring.  I insisted that all my color lines went the same direction.  I wanted everything in perfect order.  Every stroke had to be controlled.  The truth is I was never satisfied with a finished picture.

So, when I unpacked her backpack from school, Mary Ellen asked me, “Do you know what this is?”  I said, “No.”

She said, “Well,….” She went on to explain that these are the stages of life.  Butterflies start as eggs.  Then they change into a caterpillar.  They make a chrysalis.  Then they become a butterfly.  “We also read ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’,” per Mary Ellen.  With this final detail imparted, my education complete on the subject.  Quickly, without another thought, she was off.

This quirky, sweet, frank commentary accompanied by the striking picture made to me think.  I want to be a butterfly.  I want to see the world the way Mary Ellen colored it.  I think God meant for us to live this way.

There is beauty in every stage we experience.  Think about being in a chrysalis.  It is probably a pretty dark place.  Yet, the butterfly emerges with beautifully colored wings.  That butterfly wouldn’t have those wings if it had never experienced the darkness.  What a shame to never fly!

Life changes.  Be thankful! Live where you are.  Wait patiently in faith.  Love deeply.  Hope in things eternal.

Be a butterfly!

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.      Romans 12:2