Change is Hard Work

I watched two short videos today that reminded me how God is present in change…from the smallest to the largest of creatures.  In the first video, I watched as a caterpillar transformed into its chrysalis; in the second, from chrysalis to monarch butterfly.  To watch:  
https://www.facebook.com/annee.olden/videos/10153021453606722/

The caterpillar works so hard to form the chrysalis, and so fast!  I need to watch again to understand the process, but while I was watching the first time all I could think about was the contracting of muscles, the tensing of the body, the way the coating seemed to magically appear and I thought of the birthing process.  Not necessarily the birthing of a new life, but the birthing of new thought, new ideas, new opportunities.  The birthing of becoming who we were designed by God to be.

We experience our own metamorphosis when we choose to learn something new, or practice to become better or even as we wither away and die.  Watching children grow into adults while parents begin to show their age—or have their health and memories rapidly diminish—is its own time of metamorphosis for the “sandwich” generation.  And add to that time personal accomplishments with expectation of personal changes in vocation and location and change looks a lot like contracted muscles and tense bodies.

It can be uncomfortable, this change.  But what happens in between the creating of the chrysalis and the emerging of the butterfly?  Stillness.  Faithfulness.  Patience.  Trust.

The chrysalis in the video rested, but while it rested, it changed…it transformed. 

That’s where I am right now.  That in-between place between the active preparation and the action.  Sometimes it’s hard to be here, waiting; other times, I realize this is a time of growth, too.  The freedom of time comes with mixed opportunities that sometimes balance between wasted time and overbooked time.

I’m going to try to focus these days on “Be still, and know that I am God.”  (Psalm 46:10).  That’s one thing I can count on.  It’s where my hope lies, my faith rests, and my heart longs for.  I’ll wait, in my chrysalis, still—but changing.


Heavenly One, you created many miracles of birthing change and development.  We see it in nature—in caterpillars and cicadas, in the leaves of the trees transforming from season to season.  We see it in humanity—in babies and elders.  And yet, when we experience it within ourselves we sometimes get anxious and impatient.  Help us to find that space where we can rest in you, knowing that you are embracing us through our growth.  In your Holy Name we pray,  Amen.