Each day the kids had the opportunity to observe. Heidi and I reminded them that we see with our eyes and not our hands.
They watched the caterpillars. They began to form a chrysalis and the children learned all about this process. It seemed like nothing was happening. But all of the action was going on inside.
The old parts of the caterpillar were undergoing a transformation called metamorphosis. The children even learned that very long word. Once all of the changing was completed, the butterfly was ready to emerge. The kids were very excited about this part.
It was a very special day when we were ready to release the butterflies. They would finally be free!
But not all of the butterflies were so eager to leave. They had become accustomed to their cage.
After a little nudging, several of them exited. Two of the butterflies stayed close to Olivia. She was trying to stay very still so she wouldn't hurt their wings or scare them.
Heidi finally coaxed them away and into the garden they went.
The next time we passed the garden the butterflies were all gone. Every now and then the children will excitedly tell us they saw a butterfly. It was such a good learning experience for them.
Spiritual Application
As a Christian, our spiritual transformation is very similar. Accepting Jesus into our hearts brings about a total transformation of who we are; just like the butterfly. Our old self that was bound by sin and had no peace with God is gone. Our new self that is redeemed, forgiven and at peace with God emerges.
We are free in Christ!
However, like some of the butterflies many of us remain in the cage. We don't fully realize who we are in Christ. We don't grasp the privileges of being a child of the Most High. We don't allow Him to transform us fully. Yes, we are saved but we need to surrender our lives to Him.
We are free in Christ.
We have new life in Christ.
Transformation will continue as long as we are on this side of heaven. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. Our part is to cooperate and surrender.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
I am linking up with Charlotte for Spiritual Sundays.
Blessings and love,
What a fabulous object-lesson! No doubt those little ones will remember it long into their adulthood. Seeing is believing!
ReplyDeleteSome days I am utterly amazed at what the Lord has done in/with & through this once earth-bound caterpillar. I love flying.
Amen...is't it an exciting transformation? This year our yards are just full of butterflies...each day is a message to me from the Lord...He is still in the business of transformation.
ReplyDeleteWhat a joy to see the lessons in nature and be able to relate them to our spiritual walks with Him.
I am free in Christ...I am a new creation, old things have passed away!!! Amen!!!
What an exciting time for these children Debbie! Transformation is such an important thing for us all; there is nothing in this world more important or more exciting than surrendering everything to God. Surrender leads to healing, transformation, and an abundant life, greater than we can ever imagine possible!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are staying cool; we are just now starting to (almost!) reach the temp's in Phoenix when I visited. :)
Blessings and hugs for a joyful week!
Denise
What a beautiful illustration Debbie. Isn't it true? We DO have freedom, and yet we hesitate like some of the butterflies. nd then, when we begin to test those God given wings, He lets us fly in ways we never could have done without Him.
ReplyDeleteI just love your stories, and I've never seen so many cute little shoes as those adorable kids have. It's such a joy to see what God is giving you through these kids,not to mention what they are getting from you!! :)
Love you!
What a wonderful post and lesson. Love the illustration about our transformation is much like a butterfly. For my walk the biggest hurdle has been trust, with trust in God you begin to see just who you are in Him. Trust in Him and not be afraid to let go of the old you, for the new you is more amazing than you can ever imagine. God is so good, have a blessed week!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words.
ReplyDeleteDebbie:
ReplyDeleteInteresting that we both wrote about butterflies and the transformation process for us as Christians. It is so true that sometimes we don't want to leave the cage and allow God to fully transform us. Wonderful post!
Blessings,
Joan
Becoming new in Christ is such a wonderful thing! Maybe God made the butterfly so we could understand the transformation we go through when we give our lives to Christ! I am so thankful to be His!
ReplyDeleteOh Debbie, this is so true. It is so easy to remain inside the cage and never let God truly transform us. The sad part is that it is our own choice.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, thank you for sharing. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful and inspiring words!
ReplyDeletelovely illustration.
ReplyDeleteExcellent, just excellent. I too, remember teaching children about caterpillars. And although I have often heard this lesson used to explain our Christian transformation, I don't think I have ever seen it explained more beautifully. I loved the part about not wanting to leave the "nest." You know, for us that really is a daily choice, isn't it? Sometimes, it may even be a good choice to stay in the safety of the nest, but if indeed we never use our wings to fly, we may never grow to be the beautiful creature God intended for us to be. Debbie, you are beautiful! Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteHey Debbie! I love this illustration. You shared it so beautifully!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week!
HE IS FAITHFUL!!
Hugs!
Jackie
What a wonderful analogy! Isn't it amazing how many biblical truths are played out all around us in nature? I just love that about God: that He has chosen to give us such delightful visual aids to understand His ways.
ReplyDeleteThe lesson of the butterfly is one of my favorites. Okay, I'm too analytical here, but why was that little new butterfly attracted so much to Olivia do you think? Is the Lord saying anything to me here?????
ReplyDeleteLove ya, Debbie!
Hi Debbie! What a fun project. A friend got me interested in butterflies a few years back and now I have caterpillars in the kitchen most of the summer. You might like to see my posts about them, especially Monarchs...on my sidebar. Your photos are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteOh for faith enough to believe in my wings and strength enough to take flight. I'm working on it, one day at a time. I never knew it would be so hard... this emerging.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful lesson you've given to these children, to me.
Blessed transformation, friend.
peace~elaine
Wow Debbie, thanks for such a lovely illustration. That's one I can share with my kids. I thank God for being born again, having been given a new spirit, and becoming a new man ready to live a new life. In my transformation I also lean upon Ezekiel :26-27 - that the Lord will give unto me a new heart, and put a new spirit within me which will cause me to walk in His statues and keep and do His judgements. Wow, God bless you for sharing. www.daghewardmills.org
ReplyDeleteDear Debbie,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great lesson you are teaching young first and then adults.
You have a rare talent for teaching and you are really hitting the point spot on.
My "fear of flying" is being challenged every day.Never has he Lord let me down, but I need to use my wings to exercise and to experience the wonderful freedom the Lord has granted me.
It's wonderful!
What a wonderful experience. I'll bet it was as exciting for the teachers as it was for the kids. I'm glad I got to see your lovely classroom. I could envision what went on even better.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this on Spiritual Sundays.
Hugs & Blessings,
Charlotte
I will never outgrow my fascination of butterflies and their amazing transformation. A perfect application to our spiritual walk as well.
ReplyDeleteOh, this was such a great illustration of such a great truth! I've missed stopping by but have had so much going on that I have not had time. But, I'm glad to be back and visiting my favorite gals.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are all settled in to your new condo and all is well in your "corner."
May you have a joy filled weekend!
This is a beautiful post, Debbie, and a wonderful comparison of our Christian life to a butterfly's transformation! Butterflies are an amazing part of God's beautiful creation, and this was a good lesson for the children.
ReplyDeleteThere is a scripture of Jerusalem being jailed in chains. When her chains are loosened, she continues to sit there, imprisoned because she knows no other way. Your post reminded me of that, reminded me of the importance of telling other women about the great liberator - the real liberator.
ReplyDeleteI loved your butterflies, their journey and the sweet children! You have such a beautiful heart!
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