Catching a Butterfly: A Lesson in Grace

Dear friends, today I want to share a story from my youth, a simple tale that taught me a profound lesson about grace. It’s a story about a butterfly, a net, and a young boy with more enthusiasm than wisdom.

The Chase

One sunny afternoon, I found myself captivated by the most beautiful butterfly I had ever seen. Its wings were a kaleidoscope of colors, shimmering in the sunlight. I was determined to catch it, to hold that beauty in my hands. So, I grabbed my net and set off on my mission.

But, oh, how that butterfly eluded me! It danced in the air, always just out of reach. I chased it through the garden, stumbling over rocks and crashing through bushes. But the more I chased, the further it seemed to fly.

The Lesson

Exhausted and frustrated, I finally collapsed on the grass, watching the butterfly flit away. It was then that my grandfather came over, a gentle smile on his face. He had been watching my wild chase, and he had a lesson to share.

“Kevin,” he said, “you can’t catch a butterfly by chasing it. You have to be still. You have to be patient. You have to let it come to you.”

And so, I sat there in the grass, net by my side, and waited. I waited, and I watched. And after what felt like an eternity, the butterfly fluttered down and landed on my outstretched hand. It was a moment of pure magic, a moment of grace.

Grace in Life

Over the years, I’ve come to understand that grace is not something we can chase or force. It’s not something we can capture or hold. Grace is something we receive when we are still, when we are patient, when we are open.

So, my friends, remember the butterfly. Remember that sometimes, the most beautiful things in life come to us not when we chase after them, but when we sit quietly and wait.

May you find grace in the stillness, in the waiting, in the open spaces of your life.

Until next time,

Kev