It was a cool, beautiful morning and I was out with Gracie taking a long walk. I enjoy these walks more than ever these days. But what I appreciate the most are the things I am not missing on these walks because I am on my phone, my mind is not racing about a meeting ahead, and the walk or run is not simply just exercise to mark off my list.
Today I noticed many butterflies. Some even flew over and one landed on Gracie’s head and on her back. They enjoyed the ride for quite awhile. It was beautiful. Kind of seems like even the butterflies are taking it all in as well.
I began to think about those butterflies and all they went through to become butterflies. I was then taken back to a conversation about conforming and transforming with my Mom. She LOVED butterflies, and even said to look for butterflies when I started missing her after she was gone. It was a reminder that she was there in spirit. She always
wanted me to be reminded to be transformed, not conformed in whatever journey was ahead… not to fear when obstacles came, but trust and focus on transformation. Conforming comes from the outside in. Transforming comes from the inside out. Kind of like the transformation that happens to that butterfly while it is the cocoon. It is growing wings to soar!
I have thought a lot about those two words during this pandemic. And in a way this pandemic has felt like a bit of a cocoon. Before this pandemic, my agenda was set, my lists were made, and it was onward and upward. But during this pandemic, I realize more than ever that I was conforming. Was that agenda set from within, guided by what God was wanting?
I am learning to unlearn some things if you will. What is really important? Was there really balance? Was my reference 
point that I called normal really normal at all? God has taught me during this time to loosen my grip. Let go. Be transformed by releasing and trusting. Let this cocoon of time teach me what really matters, release some things, and embrace the new things God is doing.
Isaiah 43:19: The verse in my journal on this day many years ago when I was with Mom at one of her chemo appointments. I don’t think it’s coincidence. “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
In a time filled with questions, many struggling with such uncertainty, and fear. I want to encourage you, to step out of that cocoon and walk into grace and transformation. Take a deep breath, let go, and soar. Embrace new things,
Sometimes I have to daily remind myself to let go and not be conformed. Fears can rob you from that freedom.
If you are struggling with fear, uncertainty, and simply struggling within, there is a surprising path to healing and freedom in that cocoon as the grip loosens. He’s writing a beautiful story! It’s your story, about transformation, and about freedom to soar. I have found that sometimes the greatest joy is found when we are drained of all misplaced hope and shallow identities, and that as we lose our grip on comfort and control, we fall right into God’s grace.
In that cocoon God continues to write our story. He prepares new transformative things. In the midst of fear, pain, questions…..there is a surprising path to healing and freedom as we loosen our grip on comfort and control….and fall right into God’s transformative grace. That’s where the freedom to soar and be transformed lies anyway. Grace….God’s amazing grace.