Rainbows and Butterflies

When my daughter was very young, I’d tuck her into bed at night, give her a reassuring kiss, and remind her, “Dream about rainbows and butterflies.”  The words were meant to remind her (and me) that everything in her world was OK – she didn’t need to fear and could drift off to sleep knowing her life was filled with lovely things.  It seems we need someone to do that for all of us right now!  The few days of this week that have just passed have been filled with senseless death and unbelievable tragedy, and it makes for uneasy days and sleepless nights (I’m writing these words at 4:00 in the morning).  Where do we turn?

One of those deaths that rocked our collective world this week was the tragic loss of a young boy who was drowned by an alligator at the “Happiest place on Earth”.  Read the last half of that sentence again.  How is it possible that all those words should describe a real event in our world?  But as horrific as that experience strikes us, we are faced every day with challenges that drain the joy from our hopeful lives.  Whether it’s the distress caused by terrorist acts, the daily drain of battling cancer, or the fright over what might be lurking in the water, life is uncertain at best.

King David, who the Bible records enjoyed so many mountain-top experiences, also faced the horror every parent fears.  His child was gravely ill and facing death:

David pleaded with God for the boy. He fasted, went home, and spent the night lying on the ground… On the seventh day the baby died…When David saw that his servants were whispering to each other, he guessed that the baby was dead. So he asked his servants, “Is the baby dead?”  “He is dead,” they replied.

Then David got up from the ground. He washed, anointed himself, changed his clothes, went to the Lord’s house, and worshiped. Then he went home and requested something to eat… His servants asked him, “What did you just do? While the baby was alive, you fasted and wept, but when he died, you got up and ate food.”  He answered, “While the baby was alive, I fasted and wept because I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let him live.’  But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I’ll go to him, but he will never return to me.”  2 Samuel 12:18-23

David had the same perspective as the apostle Paul when he wrote:

So when...this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”  “O Death, where is your sting?  O (grave), where is your victory?”  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  2 Corinthians 15:54-57

Both David and Paul knew intimately what we need to remember: change is coming for each of us.  A transition from earthly to eternal.  A metamorphosis from daily life to eternal life.  One moment a sluggish caterpillar, inching along a dusty trail; then quickly enough, a transformed butterfly lifted into flight on gossamer wings.  It is the promise of Christ that whispers peace into our souls each night.  I hope you’re listening.

I think I’ll head back to bed now. 

Jacob