There is something majestic and peaceful about sitting in the presence of butterflies. I never feel flapped, irritated or annoyed by them. They bring about a calming effect on our lives don’t they and they also have an amazing way of giving us a smile. The truth is that the butterflies had to go through a lot to get to this beautiful stage. The stages are: caterpillar, larva, chrysalis and then the metamorphosis process finally transitions into an incredible adult butterfly.
The truth is that we cannot help the butterfly come out early through the process. If we do, then it will become deformed and probably not fly.
May I suggest that we consider this example with our own kids. If you are like me, there were times when Sharon and I wanted to step in on all the hard times that our kids were going through to make sure they were 100% safe. However, we soon realised we couldn’t be with them all the time, but God is.
The lesson from the butterfly is that we have to allow our children to grow through all of life’s changes and challenges. The good, the bad and even the ugly can come from all angles at times, but we learned the powerful lesson of trusting God in the process and that our children will blossom and fly one day. We learned that God knows what’s going on and therefore He will ultimately bring about the greatest fruit, the greatest growth, the greatest blessing and definitely the best results. I now look on at my boys and they bring everything to me that the butterfly does. The joy, peace, goodness and in fact, it is “very good.”
This was also the case with my life, as probably was for many of you. It’s also experienced through so many people in the Bible. Joseph, for example, clung to God and trusted Him totally when so many things seemed to be going wrong and even appeared evil, leaving his father Jacob broken for some 20+ years. The truth is that though we don’t understand life at times, we can rest in knowing that God is at work even when we cannot see it.
He used each of Joseph’s situations, good and bad, for an opportunity to show His power and presence with Joseph. He built this young man into an incredible example and after 13 years of challenges, put him in a position for the world to look at, to see God at work.
My own son Ben struggled greatly through the teenage years and when I realised God was so much 
bigger than Sharon or I, so we handed him totally into God’s care. The metamorphosis process came so much quicker as we faithfully trusted God, which freed us to love Ben unconditionally and we prayed fervently for him. He is totally free now and glorifies God in his life. It’s joyfully incredible to watch him fly in his new life – just like watching the graceful butterfly.
Prayer: Thanks Lord so much for the lessons we learn from that which you created like the majestic butterfly. Help us to trust in you with ALL our heart and lean not on our own understanding. Help us to acknowledge You in ALL our ways and you have promised to make our paths straight (Proverbs 3:5,6). Help us to release our kids into your care and shine through us today in Jesus name, Amen.
May you and your families continue to flourish and blossom in all you do today as you enjoy watching the metamorphic process. Grace and peace GCC family.
Rob Wolsley, College Pastor