Lessons From The Butterfly

You may have heard this story before, but it has come up twice recently in group discussions. We are facing some difficult times ahead concerning the direction of our wonderful country and I think it bears repeating, especially now.

“The Butterfly

A boy found the cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening

appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled

to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any

progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and could go no

further.

So, the boy decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and

snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged

easily. But it had a swollen body and small shriveled wings.

The boy continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at

any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the

body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly

spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled

wings. It never was able to fly.

What the boy in his kindness and haste did not understand was that

the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get

through the tiny opening was nature’s way of forcing fluid from the body of

the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved

its freedom from the cocoon.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If we were

allowed to go through our life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We

would not be as strong as we could have been. And we could never fly. So

have a nice day and struggle a little.

Author Unknown”

As parents, woodturning instructors, and teachers we must understand that for someone to learn for themselves, we need to allow them to struggle and make their own mistakes. It can sometimes be painful, but it is absolutely necessary.

On this Independence Day weekend 2024, let us never forget the struggle our ancestors endured, to give us our freedom. And let us remember that freedom is never free, we too must struggle to maintain it. Remember that wherever you go, there you are.

Here is my inspiration for this message:

(Deut 31:6 [NASB])

“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”

(Jer 29:11 [AMP]) For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

(Rom 5:3–4 [NIV2]) Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.