The "B" in Butterfly is for...Becoming

I pray, we, as parents would have the grace and guidance from the Father that when we look at our children, we won't see them as their sin.  Not that we don't discipline or correct them, but that we would realize that He is continually working and creating in their lives even when we only see ugliness or things we don't like (worms); that we would look beyond that and see them as He sees them; beautiful, colorful butterflies that are delightful to the eye. Being someone who has experienced firsthand, the devastation that a child's sin and rebellion can bring upon a family, I can honestly say that the Father speaks beautifully to the heart of a mother who is feeling as if she is in the pit because of what her child has done.  Only the Father can glue a mother's broken heart back together making it more loving and compassionate than it ever was before.  Only the Father can show the birthing and hope of His new creation in Christ through a parable of butterflies and caterpillars.  Not just stories that have somehow made their way to me, but solid, tangible living creatures in my own backyard.  He gives me reminders of this every day and calms my soul with lovely strokes of colorful flutterings.  When I see a butterfly it takes my breath away, it is such a reminder to me of what my child is "becoming" through this time of struggling in her cocoon (sin).  Only a loving, merciful Father would be kind enough to sustain me that way.  I pray that you also will allow Him to show you butterflies and that you would not focus on the worms!

~ Andrea Bain