Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous .Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14, NLT)
For some things, there are no shortcuts. How I wish it wasn't so. There are Cliff notes for major literary works, instant potatoes and pre-fabricated buildings that can be erected in a few hours, but taking shortcuts on some things just don't work out.
Dr. Pat Manning, Parrish Medical Center board member and retired educator, has loved butterflies for as long as she can remember. Throughout her teaching career, she would adorn her student's papers with am image of a butterfly. As time went on, she refined the image into her own personal "Coat of Arms." Dr. John Manning, her husband, loved her much and came to love her butterflies as much as she did. He made their yard a haven for butterflies and he became a student of their ways. As it turns out, butterflies have much to teach us.
Butterflies go through some dramatic changes during their life span. They begin as a tiny egg and emerge as a caterpillar. The caterpillar will eat almost constantly and grow considerably, shedding its skin multiple times in the process. After a few weeks, the caterpillar will attach itself to some branch or twig and begin a remarkable metamorphosis. Hidden inside the protective covering of the chrysalis, the worm-like caterpillar transforms into thing of delicate beauty. When the time is right, the chrysalis splits and the adult butterfly struggles to emerge.
Once free of the chrysalis, the butterfly must wait. It takes time to pump the blood into the fragile wings so they become fully deployed and rigid enough to catch the breeze. An impatient observer may wish to rush the process and assist the butterfly by pulling on the wings to extend them. Rushing the process will most likely result in damaging the wings and the butterfly will never be able to take flight.
During the course of our lives, we go through some dramatic changes too. It is easy to get impatient with some of the stages of our own lives, or sometimes with the life of someone else. Why can't we take off? Why is she just sitting there? Why am I still stuck on this branch? Why is it taking so long? What is God waiting for?
Butterflies know. Some things just can't be rushed.
Blessings to you all,
Jerald
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