Hudson's hand and a Gulf Fritillary caterpillar on the other side of the window.Today, I was already thinking about butterflies and sharing on my blog a few of my own stories that include these flying flowers. Just a little while after having these thoughts, Hudson, Maddie Grace, Bobby and Jenn popped in just to say, "Hi!" while they were out for a walk! :-)
Do you ever think of something and a attach a certain meaning to it? I do, sometimes these change and other times they remain pretty contestant. Pretty much ever sense I moved to Ft. Worth, I've loved butterflies and what they represent. It makes my heart swell to think of seeing my own Paw Paw in his last days be so encouraged to sit on his front porch and gaze upon these little travelers on their way to Mexico. He died of Cancer in October of 2001.
I would sit with him, not saying a word, just watching the change in his eyes. He was often too weak to speak and most times when I would ask him a question, he looked so puzzled that it broke my heart. The one thing that brought him joy was watching the Monarchs. We enjoyed this together.
His wife, my Me Maw had had a Doctor's appointment several weeks ago. While I was waiting for her in the office a kind looking grey haired grandmother came in with her two granddaughters. I of course was knitting (Jen's socks) and the oldest of the two was fascinated and stayed out in the waiting room with me so that we could talk while watched my hands and finished up her homework.
Before the grandmother went in to see the Dr. she poured out the sad story of how these precious girls were sexually abused by their father and one year ago mom just left them at her door with only the clothes on their back.
While knitting, I spoke to the girl and asked if she enjoyed making anything with her hands. She said, with a brilliant smile on her face, "I make butterflies!" As soon as she finished her homework she pulled out her little craft box and went straight to work. She created this beautiful piece of art. When she packed up to leave she handed to me and said, "This is for you...") Well if you know me at all you also can guess...that this made me cry.
This little girl had no idea how our lives paralleled and neither would anyone sitting there that day, but I knew. I knew that weeks before I had made a butterfly almost exactly like this one when we were asked in the youth group to create something that expressed how we connected to God and others... For me that is learning from my own life's sadness, grow and change into something beautiful as I give to others out of my own need for love, acceptance, forgiveness, healing. That day I prayed that this little girl will always have someone encouraging her to be the woman God has planned for her to be, enjoy life's simple glories. Grow and change WITH life's circumstances and always listen to the HOLY SPIRIT!
I have more stories but I wan to save them for another time! What do you think of when you see butterflies?
I would sit with him, not saying a word, just watching the change in his eyes. He was often too weak to speak and most times when I would ask him a question, he looked so puzzled that it broke my heart. The one thing that brought him joy was watching the Monarchs. We enjoyed this together.
His wife, my Me Maw had had a Doctor's appointment several weeks ago. While I was waiting for her in the office a kind looking grey haired grandmother came in with her two granddaughters. I of course was knitting (Jen's socks) and the oldest of the two was fascinated and stayed out in the waiting room with me so that we could talk while watched my hands and finished up her homework.
Before the grandmother went in to see the Dr. she poured out the sad story of how these precious girls were sexually abused by their father and one year ago mom just left them at her door with only the clothes on their back.
While knitting, I spoke to the girl and asked if she enjoyed making anything with her hands. She said, with a brilliant smile on her face, "I make butterflies!" As soon as she finished her homework she pulled out her little craft box and went straight to work. She created this beautiful piece of art. When she packed up to leave she handed to me and said, "This is for you...") Well if you know me at all you also can guess...that this made me cry.
This little girl had no idea how our lives paralleled and neither would anyone sitting there that day, but I knew. I knew that weeks before I had made a butterfly almost exactly like this one when we were asked in the youth group to create something that expressed how we connected to God and others... For me that is learning from my own life's sadness, grow and change into something beautiful as I give to others out of my own need for love, acceptance, forgiveness, healing. That day I prayed that this little girl will always have someone encouraging her to be the woman God has planned for her to be, enjoy life's simple glories. Grow and change WITH life's circumstances and always listen to the HOLY SPIRIT!
I have more stories but I wan to save them for another time! What do you think of when you see butterflies?
4 comments:
I will from now on, ALWAYS think of you and your beautiful spirit when I see a butterfly! Thank you so much for your heart and your grace with our teens. You are a true blessing from God! Hope to see you guys on Wednesday!
You are precious Miss Lauren! Thank you for being a loving example of a young lady that is willing to against the tide of flesh in this culture!
Thank you for adding me to your blog roll!
I've enjoyed reading your blog! Keep writing! Your openness on how God is always at work is very encouraging to me on my walk. Thanks!
Laura,
Thank you for your gracious words of encouragement. It helps me to know that what I've done have been helpful to you. It does inspire me to step out and DO what has been placed on my heart regardless of what "fear" says! Thank you!
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