Emergence -- the wisdom of the Butterfly

 

My brother-in-law lives in south Florida and he's always had a perfect green thumb. Anything he puts in the soil of that humid climate grows like crazy. And I don't mean it just "grows," it flourishes! He's really quite amazing. He's had some of the most beautiful yards and gardens I've ever seen in my life. He can take even the smallest of spaces, even using just pots and potting soil and turn them into an oasis! Lately, his interests have expanded into growing something else... butterflies!

He built a little "caterpillar condo" on his patio. Now he gets the creatures as caterpillars, then watches them cocoon and then celebrates their emergence as beautiful creatures.  I'm telling you, this guy can grow stuff! Looking at some of these delicate creatures, it dawned on me what an amazing metamorphosis occurs in their development. From "worm," to really tight living quarters, to emergence as a fascinating, peaceful and gently beautiful butterfly.

What really struck me recently was that once they have begun the transformation, there is no turning back. What they once were, will be no more. What was in the past is...well...the past! Instead of being land locked fuzzy worms...they are free to fly about the country. But they had to go through a tight, perhaps even uncomfortable season to get to air-bound glory.

I feel like I'm going through a similar metamorphosis. Yes...I've definitely proven "worm" status on many occasions, been through some hard times...but I'm looking forward to an emergence. It is coming...I can feel things happening...and I know there is a power greater than myself that is doing His work on me. But the emergence is really what I'm longing for...anticipation takes patience.

A friend of mine recently applied for the job of his dreams...and he didn't get it. Frustrated, he got in touch with me and we shared his lament. He's a really talented guy and when he told me he applied and submitted his resume, I really anticipated he'd get the job. But he didn't.

I know how badly he wanted the gig and it just didn't happen for him. So... I shared the following thought in an IM, "...keep your eyes forward. Tomorrow...it'll be yesterday (and in the past). The past is always the past for good or for bad. In only a few hours, this will be behind you. So look forward and take that next step, even if it is a small one. It'll make sense in time."

It was wisdom from the butterfly. The past is simply the past. Today...maybe tomorrow...has the anticipation of what beautiful thing we are becoming. Hang in there friends, it is all a matter of emergence. Isn't that the point?