The Butterfly

[Guest guest]

Posted by: " Lucille Baker " borgor lucille_baker

Tue May 27, 2008 7:01 pm (PDT)

 

" Poor little butterfly, " the young girl said. " Poor little butterfly. "

 

Then reaching down slowly so as to not scare it away, she slid her

tiny fingers underneath, urging it to step upon her hand. It would

appear to anyone that this delicate creature was lifeless leaving

behind remains of what once was. But not her. She sensed something.

She knew right away that there was indeed some life left in this most

fragile example of God's work.

 

The butterfly nearly tumbled onto her hand, wings folded straight up,

apparently unable to fly. Then, perhaps it was the warmth of her hands

or the welcoming response to the attention it was given, but the

butterfly began to walk slowly up to her palm.

 

" Poor little butterfly, " she repeated again as she brought it closer

to her face. " If I could kiss you I would, " she said.

 

The butterfly, appearing to respond, slowly opened its wings, to

reveal its beautiful designed colors. Now open fully, the child

brought it closer and gave an angel's kiss of love. Just off in the

distance watching this precious moment, her grandmother walked toward

them.

 

" Oh, you have found it, " she said. " I was waiting for it and wondered

where it was. "

 

The child looked a bit surprised and said, " You were waiting for this

butterfly? Why? "

 

" It is sent to remind us, " grandmother said.

 

" But it is dying. I feel sorry for it. Don't they fly away when it

gets cold? "

 

" Yes, they do. But one is always chosen to remain behind, " she said.

 

Maybe this was just grandmother's way of softening the the truth so

that the child would not be saddened by the thought of the butterfly

dying. But what unfolded here was an incredible moment, an opportunity

seen and taken to teach a lesson of love.

 

" Why would they choose to be left behind? " the child asked as she

gently stroked the butterfly.

 

" They don't choose to be, they are chosen, " she told her.

 

The child looked down again and held it closer.

 

" It is a great honor to be chosen. The story goes that God realized

that when winter comes color disappears. The color of the flowers fade

into the earth and all the delicate butterflies leave for warmer

places. So, God decided that one should remain to remind us of the

beautiful world He has created and the promise of Spring's return. "

 

The child looked down and then lifting her head slowly, she whispered,

" And I found it, grandmother. "

 

" Yes, and with that you have a great responsibility, " she said as she

held the young girl's face in her hands.

 

" What? "

 

" You must now take time to see God's colors in the darkness of winter.

You must be the sunshine. You must help those who have forgotten how

beautiful life is, to see the color of God's love for them. "

 

" Oh, grandmother. I don't know how to, " she said.

 

" It is simple. Be yourself. People believe only what they see. Like

the flowers and butterflies. But God makes people beautiful inside. It

is up to us to bring that beauty out by loving each other, helping

each other and when we find someone who has fallen, just like that

butterfly, it is up to us to pick them up, caress them and care for

them. For one day it may very well be His Chosen One left behind. "

 

The child moved closer to her grandmother as they sat admiring God's

messenger.

 

Take time to see the beauty, the colors of God in the people around

you. You, too may find the " Poor little butterfly "

 

" I believe in you! "