{Friday} February 12, 2010

I know . . . you can say it . . . I'm a total slacker. I keep on thinking that I need to get on and post pictures, but . . . no. Not sure that anyone is following my venting, but if you are . . . sorry for being gone for a few days. ;)

. . . . . . .

This post is about my new friend, Natalie. We met through tragedy . . . unfortunately {for the tragedy part. Couldn't be more grateful for her friendship}. She and her family were tearfully praying over her 8 week old son, Gavin, the same time we were tearfully praying over Charish. Gavin {sadly, but peacefully} passed away on Jan. 7, just two days after Charish passed away. 

I was introduced to her blog by a friend of a friend, just someone who had heard of Charish's story on Facebook, and I'm so grateful that she thought of me when reading Natalie's blog.

The first time I went to her blog this is the post I read: 

prayers of faith

http://www.natalienortonphoto.com/2010/01/prayers-of-faith.html

My heart. broke. for her. I can't imagine going through what I went through with my sister, and it being my new sweet baby. What I LOVE about Natalie is that she is amazingly faithful and uplifting, even in the midst of one of the most horrible pains you can go through in this life. She is such an inspiration to so many people! I've been following her blog and have gained an extreme amount of strength through her words. I am in awe of her strength and have been striving to find that peace within my own heart.

A few days ago she posted something that I thought was so great. I asked if I could post it on my blog and she said it was okay. So . . . I hope you find the beauty in this like i did.

impossible . . . except it's not 

Have you ever watched a caterpillar

form a chrysalis?

. . .

emerge a butterfly?

It is miraculous.

The caterpillar,

somehow,

creates this tiny sack. . .

and I mean tiiiiiiiiny compared to the ginormity

of his caterpillar body.

he seals his LARGE body inside.

It seems physically impossible.

probably because it is.

physically impossible.

the chrysalis sits.

and sits.

and sits.

all alone.

forgotten.

subject to wind and rain

and all kinds of natural elements that would seek its destruction.

then one day, up you look.

and there,

is this absolutely beautiful butterfly.

perfect in every.way.

utterly impossible. . .

except that it's not.

______________________________

Reminds me of something. . .

compressed.

squashed by the realities that are unique to a fallen world.

feeling utterly alone.

then one day,

out of what seems like nowhere,

we'll emerge.

beautiful butterflies.

What an awesome God he is.

__________________________

Post edited to include this beautiful thought from the comments.

"once heard a story about a little girl who asked her mother, 

'Do caterpillars know that they'll become butterflies, 

or does God surprise them?'"

I definitely think he surprises us,

but what do I know?

. . . 

 I love you Natalie, and continue to keep you, your husband, and your 3 sweet boys in my prayers . . . 

for your continued peace that you so desperately need 

and in thanks to God for you blessing my life in such enormous ways. xo