From Caterpillar to Butterfly

Many years ago I was taught that God can send little reminders to you through out the day in forms of anything.  I wasn't sure what this meant but went with it.  To some people this could be a word, an object or just a simply reminder.  It is in these sweet moments God is telling us that He is constantly there and aware of where we are.  

To me that reminder has been butterflies... My first encounter with this realization was after I went through a bad breakup.  One day I was sitting outside, enjoying the sunshine and reading a book called, "I've Never Been to Vegas but My Luggage Has" by Mandy Hale. In this book she shares about her mishaps, heartbreaks and flops and how we don't have to let those moments define us.  We must learn from those things and move on. There were a few chapters that stuck out to me and I could hear God speaking clearly to my heart.  As I sat and read that afternoon I came to chapter about letting go and having faith in what's to come and here across my lap flew a beautiful orange and brown butterfly.  I stopped and closed my eyes and thanked God for the amazing sweet reminder that he is always near.   

Fast forward to my adventure in Haiti.... Every day I see a butterfly while sitting at school, the pool or on my porch.  I love when my eye catches one and I can think of God and the sweet reminder it is to me.  This past week I thought it was really neat because I saw my first caterpillar.  

I was taken back by the vibrant colors and how it looked.  I am sure I have seen one before at the zoo but never had I walked outside and seen such a creature.  This sweet little yellow, green and red crawly critter represented a lot to me.  It showed me the full circle of life and how there are different stages that we go through. The stages of a caterpillar are interesting to me... it's interesting because this creature goes from crawling to a cocoon to a beautiful, flying insect.  Although we as individuals are not insects I still believe our cycle is similar.  We continue to grow physically, mentally and spiritually each day.  However when we change spiritually inside and have to have faith to take that flight out of the cocoon.  That cocoon is our safe zone, our home, our community that we feel safest in.   

For me that was to move to Haiti.  I love how God uses moments to change us and grow us into a beautiful butterfly.  I am thankful that I have begun my flight and learned to spread my wings.  My faith is being tested but I am reminded daily when I see a butterfly that He is with me and will never leave me.  I pray you see a butterfly today ad you are reminded that He is with you.