watching the emerging butterfly

For someone whose patience is as limited as my own, watching a butterfly emerge from the chrysalis is less awe and more anxiety. I hope I'm doing better, but the whole "mother" in me longs to help just a little. But I realize this is fatal to a lovely butterfly who needs every bit of the struggle to be strong enough to live.

So it is with children, parents, friends, folks we mentor: finding that sweet spot between coach, mentor, cheerleader and fellow traveler is a daily struggle. It is a little easier when the person we love is all fired up to do well and learn what they need to be independent and productive. It is much harder when trying to gently kick the young adult chick out of the nest. 

And every step between is fraught with the temptation to be over helpful alternating with not helpful enough. I really want a manual with detailed notes and plenteous examples of how best to proceed.

But instead I find all this is a reflection of my relationship with God where I try to figure out how to live like Jesus lived and love and serve as Jesus loved and served. 

So today I ask the Spirit of God to pour out on me patience, wisdom, restraint, enthusiasm and love, persistently calling me to walk more closely with Him and let my actions speak louder than my nagging.