I love summertime! I love the sunshine, the green grasses, the flowers, the birds, bees, and butterflies. A couple of days ago I saw two butterflies flitting and fluttering about obviously flirting as they flew at each other, circled each other, raced in and about the flowers. It was fun to watch. Is there anyone with heart so dark they could not enjoy such a sight. I was reminded of a story about a little boy gazing in wonderment at the cocoons in a biologist’s case. The biologist explained the cocoons were spun by caterpillars who were changing into butterflies. “I wish I could have a cocoon of my own to watch a butterfly come out,” said the boy. His wish was granted with the warning that he was not to help the butterfly in any way when it began to crack out of the cocoon. With a promise to follow the biologist’s instruction, the boy took his cocoon home. Finally the time came. The cocoon was beginning to crack open. The little boy could see the butterfly frantically beating its wings against the cocoon. As he watched he became impatient and helped the cocoon breakaway. As the beautiful butterfly emerged and spread its colorful wings the little boy watched in amazement. Finally the butterfly took off in flight. It soared above the boy’s head then suddenly fell dead to the ground. Crying, the boy returned to the biologist. “You helped the butterfly, didn’t you,” said the biologist. The boy nodded his head, “Yes, just a little bit.” The biologist explained the butterfly needed strong wings to fly and the only way to strengthen its wings was to beat them against the cocoon. “Because you helped break off some of the cocoon, the butterfly could not beat its wings long enough to gain the strength needed to fly.”
So it is with life. Our challenges allow us to gain the strength to become all that we can be. Our children also need to gain strength through facing their challenges. As they work to conquer them their strength and determination grow. Next time you are tempted to make things easier for your children, remember the butterfly. Let your kids develop strength so that someday they can fly on their own as totally independent human beings.
Till we meet again, Earlynns Just Sayin’
