Bullfrogs and Butterflies

My all-time favorite spring activity is watching caterpillars turn into butterflies.  I love the whole process, especially as a mom.  Hunting for the eggs with the girls, finding the tiny caterpillars, watching them destroy a milkweed.  Finally forming their chrysalis and then waiting for the beautiful butterfly to emerge.

Growing up in a Southern Baptist home, I have vivid memories of playing the vinyl record "Bullfrogs and Butterflies" on the record player in our living room.  I know there were hand motions and dance moves involved but what mainly sticks out to me is "Bullfrogs and Butterflies have both been born again!"  The lesson to a child was that just like the tadpole turns into a frog and the caterpillar turns into a butterfly, we as Christians are born again when we accept Christ.  I never quite understood the magnitude of what that meant, but the terminology was used so frequently that I knew it meant "being saved" and becoming a follower of Christ.

Now that I am an adult, it all has become very clear to me.  Especially after this Spring, watching the process of a butterfly form up close.  As a fun project for Shelby's kindergarten class I purchased a milkweed plant that had caterpillars already munching on it.  We took it to school and the class watched as the process took place.  They even did some research to learn exactly what was happening every step of the way.  The most exciting part for my girls was when we actually watched the caterpillar form into it's chrysalis.  While it is fascinating to watch scientifically, it really hit me on a spiritual level this year.  When a caterpillar forms it's chrysalis it must first purge it's old skin, once it does this if it doesn't fall away it will kill the caterpillar when the metamorphosis occurs.  Once that has happened and the caterpillar is inside it's chrysalis, the change happens.  During the next 10-14 days, the caterpillar basically digests itself to form the wings and new body of the beautiful butterfly.  I know you may all be thinking, what the heck, when did she decide to be all scientific?  Well, I share all of this to say, this is what happens when we decide to follow Jesus.  If we don't let go of all the junk, it's going to hinder our growth.  We won't be able to fully receive the grace that God has promised us.  Now, just so you know, I'm not a theologian and this is definitely my own take on all of this.  But what a beautiful lesson to teach our children.

To become a Christian, you must first die to yourself.  Forget the previous life you once knew, and let God change you into the beautiful person you are created to be.  Just like the Bullfrogs and Butterflies!