Flutterbies and Patercillars

(aka Butterflies and Caterpillars)

Sometimes on my way home from work when I have had a particularly unpleasant day or traffic is not behaving the way I wished it would, I will take an early exit and find my way home on back roads. It is therapeutic. It helps me unwind and remember that the world is still beautiful and peaceful and enjoyable even when I-35 isn’t. I highly recommend this unwinding approach to you; it is good for your soul.

After some less-than-pleasant traffic one day last week I decided to do just this and took the back way home. This particular back way consisted of exiting and stopping at a red light where there was a man and woman with a sign asking for gas money. Here was the first part of my therapy lesson. It went something like this,

“Aw, poor Michelle so stressed out from her job that she takes the back way to her house with a refrigerator full of food to eat whenever she is hungry or even if she isn’t. Her house that is just down the road from her loving and supportive family that would be there for her if she were ever in need of anything. Yes, poor Michelle. You have so much to be frustrated about.”

Step one of therapy- be thankful I have a job to drive to and from, a car to drive it in, a house to come home to, a fridge full of food, a loving husband, a close and supportive family, and no need unmet.

Lesson learned. I am unbelievable spoiled and not near as thankful as I should be for the abundance of blessings that I have and enjoy every day of my life. I have never gone without food, shelter, gas money, a vehicle, or love. I gave them a dollar I found in my purse. Humility and thankfulness- check.

I then turned onto the winding dirt road where I planned to unwind myself. And I did just that. The road was empty except for me and some beautiful sunshine accompanied by the perfect early fall breeze. As I turned one corner, I was met by a field of purple gay feathers. So I got out with camera in hand ready to enjoy the flowers.

The flowers were gorgeous and I wasn’t the only one there enjoying them. Flittering here and there were butterflies of all shapes and sizes and colors along with a few bumblebees thrown in. I had so much fun taking pictures! There was a skittish blue-tailed swallow tail butterfly that just wouldn’t hold still to have his picture taken. And there was an orange with white spots butterfly (whose name I don’t know) that was very photogenic and loved to pose for the camera. And then the bumblebee who couldn’t care less if I was there trying to take its picture or not. The weather and the scenery were perfect.

Step two of therapy- don’t be so caught up in myself that I don’t stop and enjoy the little things around me every day that sing out that they were made by a loving, creative, God. A God who put them on this earth not because it was necessary, but because they are beautiful and bring glory to Him!

Again, lesson learned. Not only do I have every need in life met, but beyond that— this world that I live in is beautiful and alive and created to bring glory to the Lord- and it does its job well! Awe and praise to God- check.

Then I went home. And there crawling along my porch was the cutest little caterpillar. He was scooching along trying to find his way somewhere while only being able to see the inches in front of him. I wanted to move him to somewhere he would be happier, but he had all these spines all over him that were not inviting. He could not see the bigger picture that he was climbing up our porch when there was a caterpillar-friendly tree right next to him. He could not see that the spot where he was he had been several times before. He just inched along, not even knowing he was lost.

Step three of therapy- don’t be a caterpillar. Be approachable even when I don’t think I am lost, don’t be so naïve as to think that I have it all figured out when I can only see 3 inches in front of my face, don’t wander around in circles in life.

Final lesson learned. I don’t have life figured out. I don’t see the big picture. I wander around in circles. But, I have the God of the universe to turn to and He will direct my path. All I have to do is turn to Him. Helplessness except for my Father in heaven- check.

It was a very enlightening hour of my life.

An excellent drive home.

Love ya,

Michelle