The Path of Hope


A Girl Scout in the neighborhood arranged a big project for this past Saturday. It was “Chalk it Up” day, and everyone was told to get ready. On this particular Saturday, every home found a supply of sidewalk chalk placed on their drive. Everyone was asked to show their artistic side and encourage one another with hopeful words. There was a high level of participation by both children and adults of all ages. Everyone wanted to support this enterprising young woman. But I also believe everyone missed those early days of the pandemic when the kids were so prolific in sharing their art. It was a beautiful day that was made even more beautiful by the vision of one young person.
Though quickly faded by the sprinklers, I loved this image of butterfly and bee. I don’t know what was in the mind of the artist, but to me this was a most hopeful message that needed no words to share good news.
The butterfly has long been a symbol of new life. Seemingly dead in a hard chrysalis, what goes in a caterpillar emerges a beautiful, colorful butterfly. For my religion, it represents the resurrection of Jesus from the dead; the proclamation that not even the tomb could stop the power of God’s love. The butterfly is a symbol of transformation from one stage of a life to another. What a beautiful expression of the hope that we can emerge on the other side of difficult, even terrible, things and find a new beginning.
The bee has had a lot of press lately as humans take notice of its decline in number. This tiny creature pollinates the world. Our essential food supply, the beauty of the flowers and the perpetuation of fruit trees all depend to some degree on this small, hard working insect. What a joy to watch them at work and, greater still, to enjoy the fruits of their constant labor. I like the reminder that my little role in the world is part of something bigger and that, now matter I may feel in the moment, it matters to someone that I keep going.
The Psalmist writes, “As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.” Hope comes to is in different ways. On this day, hope came through the vision a young woman I do not know, who inspired an artist I’ve never met, who unknowingly placed a bee and a butterfly in my path. I think I got the message.
Peace.


 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

God is at Work

Image
In the early morning I was struck with this image. It seems to have it all. Green leaves. Red leaves. Clouds. Blue sky. The cross high and lifted up to the sky. It seemed to me that there was the stuff of several good photos in this one place and at one time. So I took the picture. Life is like that more often than not, isn't it? Good and bad. Happy and sad. Calm and chaos. Peace and turmoil. The season of Advent and the celebration of Christmas acknowledges this reality. The people of old resigned to their fate, yet hoping in the future. John the Baptist bringing the good news that the time had come, yet thundering away at one and all. Mary afraid, yet faithful. A baby is born that changes everything, yet the world remains still weary and violent. But, in the midst of all this, in the midst of the whiplash of everyday life, God is at work. God is present. God is calling. In all of it. In every bit of it. Through it all, God is with us. During these holidays, when joy can be mixed
Read more

Quiet Surprises

Image
This little friend decided to pause and stare at me as long as I was willing to pause and stare at him. It was a beautiful moment of silence and calm and peace. I'm not sure how long we enjoyed each other's presence, but it seemed like quite a good while. I sensed no fear at all in this deer. Of course, I was on his turf and was armed with only my phone. I was driving when I spotted him, so I pulled over and parked. I thought he would rush back into the woods before I could take a photograph. What a pleasant surprise it was. Sometimes surprises burst into our life loud and big, like a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" at a surprise party or in a humming crowd at some huge event. But at other times, surprises slip into our consciousness, subtle and understated. A deer at the edge of the woods. A card with words of love when you need it most. The smile of a friend long missed. A feeling of peace when life is anything but peaceful. In fact, it may be that those quiet
Read more

Live Out Loud

Image
This is one big Woodpecker! I was visiting some friends who live in the mountains and saw this bird right outside the window as I sat in my chair and read. It is a Pileated Woodpecker, a bird that grows to be up to 19 inches long with a wing span of 30 inches, weighing 14 pounds. I still feel the same excitement when I see one today as I did as a boy. They are spectacular creatures. I'm sure that one reason I like them so much is that they remind me of Woody Woodpecker, a favorite cartoon of my boyhood. But another reason they catch my eye is they seem so strong and self-assured. They carry themselves with a sense of confidence. When they go to work on a tree, they are loud and proud. When they swoop in and out through the woods, they own the airspace. These beautiful birds live out loud. I have a feeling that when we live out loud, we might exude that same kind of confidence. When we know who we are, and more importantly, who we want to be, it shows. Not in bravado or arrogance, b
Read more