Scientists have documented that when a butterfly emerges from its cocoon, it is not fully developed. -Its time has come to transition from an enclosed, "safe" environment to the open world. While it is breaking out of its soft shell, the butterfly must move its wings back and forth repeatedly. -Flexing its muscles so to speak. This movement strengthens its wings, ultimately liberating it from the now restrictive cocoon and simultaneously preparing it to take flight. How beautiful is it to observe the simple grace and beauty of a butterfly flitting flower to flower? How blessed is the one who takes the time to notice the butterfly in the busy-ness of our days!
Do you remember learning to walk? -Probably not, but you most likely took a step or two and fell down. In order to perfect your ability, you had to learn to get over the impact of the fall, pick yourself up and start over. I don't remember learning to walk, but I do remember my children moving though this developmental milestone. As a parent, it is difficult to watch this and not move in to 'help', whether to prevent the fall or to ease the process by catching them too quickly or picking up the child so he or she does not have to work so hard to get up. Most of the time (of course the exception is if severe injury is likely), this repetitive process of taking the step(s), falling and arising strengthens our muscles and teaches our body to balance and to move in space.
Imagine how God perceives us as we move through life. He sees us as His children and loves us as a Father. His Word confirms this. He guides us, teaches us, and provides for us; yet allows us to make our own choices. -Even those that might lead us into difficulty.
Look at the story of Jacob in the Old Testament. He left the cocoon of his family and homeland (okay, so he wasn't exactly safe there; he'd gotten into a bit of a mess, deceiving his father and ultimately his brother out of a birthright privilege) and traversed to the home of a distant kinsmen. There he fell in love with the man's younger daughter, Rachel. He loved her so much, and agreed to work for the man for seven years in order to win her as his wife. Jacob worked the designated time, earning the right to marry Rachel. Imagine his shock when he realized he'd been duped. The bride that he took as wife was not Rachel, but her elder sister, Leah. Not his chosen beloved for whom he had slaved. Ah, the deceiver was deceived. (It seems there is yet another spiritual lesson, Be careful for what you sow; for you will surely reap what seeds you sow) I would bet that there was a heated discussion between Jacob and his father-in-law. In the end, Jacob works an additional seven years and is given his Beloved Rachel as his wife.
Now, I have already confessed that I made a poor choice in marrying against the good judgment of my parents. That union yielded two beautiful children and when their father abandoned us, I was determined to be the best mother that I could be. For me, that meant devoting myself to their needs. I did not date during that time period... I was too tired, too busy, partially hopeful that the man would re-find our family; but mostly, I was too determined that whoever would be father to my children would be God's pick. For this, I waited 14 years. Fourteen years, like Jacob waited and worked for Rachel. And so I often refer to this period of time, from 1985 to 1999, as my Rachel and Leah years. So, what happened in 1999? Well, one of the best things ever!!!! In November of 1999, exactly 14 years later, I attended my 25th high school reunion. And there I re-acquainted with the boy from the next street, the one who was our paperboy... the one who is my husband, who is my soul-mate, and who is worth having to wait.
