The Fixer

The child watches in awe and wonder as the brilliant colors emerge from the ugly brown bug-egg. Tentatively, the butterfly unfolds its wings, testing, making each movement an agonizingly slow process. The child quivers with excitement, trembling with the desire to help, to get the butterfly where it should be, but controls the impulse, afraid to break the enchantment of the moment. Finally, golden wings fully extended, glistening in the sunlight against the backdrop of glossy green leaves, the butterfly seems poised to take flight.....but remains motionless. Finally, the child can stand no more, and takes hold of the butterfly, ever so gently, and tosses it into the air. "Fly, fly, it's what you were born to do!"
And the beautiful creation, it's not-quite dry wings barren where the childs gentle touch has brushed off the tiny, fragile feathers that are the essence of its flight, falls to the ground, never to fly, but to await death. And something that was beautiful is gone, before it had a chance to fly.

Personal Easter

Every year in spring, I need to be reminded of the joy of being alive in God's creation. Despite my determination NEVER to act my age, as winter drags on with its dreary skies, short days, bone-chilling cold, I find shadows of emptiness, alone-ness, and fear insinuating themselves into my thoughts at every turn. Before I even realize what is happening, I am in danger of becoming overwhelmed by fear and hopelessness, a lethargy of "why bother" and "I can't"...

Then comes that one spring day, when the warmth finally overcomes the chill, brilliant sunshine, sapphire sky, when God says "Look what I made for you! Come out and play! The excitement courses through me, energy rises, and I can almost hear the falling water, feel the breeze in my hair and the warmth of the sun on my skin, and I remember I am alive!