Some of the most simple stories that we learn in grade school come from the things surrounding us. All we have to do is look around and a story unfolds. This is one way that I understand God better. As for myself, I am a visual learner. I love how people catch me in deep stares and usually its because I'm just going to escape land and processing the day. I call it my God time and I always do it outside finding beauty in nearly everything that can easily be ignored with our busy schedules.
I find spring time in Tennessee to be an allergy nightmare but also a colorful paradise that nearly everything outdoors puts on their best display. Its an outdoor fashion show. I always love it when the bradford pears bloom because everything looks snow covered and it really looks like something out of a wedding in a fairy tale. Yes, I just said that. So far the red buds, maples, and tulips are putting on their show but like all the others they shine for a little bit and then they won't put on their best until next year.
My personal favorite is the monarch butterfly. Monarch's go through 4 stages during one life cycle: the egg, larvae (caterpillar), the pupa, and then the adult butterfly. Then they start all over again with a new generation. In early spring they come out of hibernation and find a mate so they can travel all the way back up to the north and east to lay their eggs for the next generation. They typically just enjoy their short life for 2-6 weeks. And there's your 3rd grade science lesson.
I had the opportunity to spend some quality time with my mom yesterday at the lake. We packed up our lunches and headed out to enjoy the beautiful spring day. It was much needed for us. The past couple of months has been filled with confusion and heartache. I think everybody in my family has had a personal struggle that is in itself is enough stress to handle. Just a few weeks ago my mother, who has always never been the one to complain of body aches or problems, was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was really hard to process at first because things like that just don't happen to you or your family, especially since my sister just moved out to California. Why my mom? She never complained like the rest of us. Overall, my 'minor' struggles are now nothing compared to dealing with a life-changing diagnosis that has been targeted towards my mom. On my hour commute to work I really am that crazy person people see talking to themselves without a bluetooth. Not that I would talk on a bluetooth. Seriously though, there are times that I don't even listen to music. I just drive in silence and talk to God.
The lake trip brought about a conversation about all the pretty trees and flowers in bloom. Of course, I put my theology hat on and explained how I thought God uses his creation to tell us a story. Simple enough, but the spring time is a perfect example. Things bloom, beautiful creatures emerge but its just for a very short time. My dad, who is a Nat Geo pioneer, explained to me last night that because of the tilt of the earth and the position of the sun we experience wind, fronts, seasons, etc. Unfortunately, things aren't constant. They are always changing and bringing about uncertainty within the world we live in.
I interpret this as what was said in Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8- To everything There is A Season, and a time to every purpose under heaven
Admist all the confusion with my mom's diagnosis I thought out-loud and believed that maybe in this life we do all have shining moments but they really are short lived. I used the butterfly as an example. They experience an awkward phase of a 'worm' unattractive and isolated. In short, they are simply underdeveloped. All of sudden seasons changed and then they struggle out of their cocoon to push the fluid out of their bodies to form these emaculate wings. They then turn into these magestic and elegant creatures. It was figurative thought but we go through experiences in life that we never know if we are going to get out of. Whether it's a job you can't stand, a block in the road that seems to get in the way of your goals, a broken relationship, or whatever. Faith and hope is really all you have until its your time and your season. I know its going to be a struggle for my mom but she will get out of this and God will provide a season for her shine when its all said and done!
Ironically, we were sitting at the edge of the lake reading our books and a beautiful black & blue speckled monarch butterfly came to greet us. I love it when God puts the period at the end of the sentence.
