The Butterfly

I can't believe I have been here four days and still haven't taken a walk on the bluff! How can that be? I am determined to rectify that, and after slathering my arms and face with sunscreen, I take off in the direction of the lake and the wonderful walking paths created for exploring the natural wetlands areas.

The sky is gorgeous blue dotted with perfect cotton candy white clouds. A faint breeze stirs the wildflowers that rampage down the face of the cliff. I amble along, breathing deeply of air freshened by the lake, scented of seaweed and faint fishy flavor. The descent is slow and I see a few others enjoying some outdoors time down below.

I glance to my right toward the water, and there, suspended in thin air, is a beautiful yellow butterfly fluttering frantically. I stop to watch and realize that the poor thing is caught in a spider web. It struggles and flaps helpless wings, disentangling itself from one strand of web only to be caught by another heartless strand.

I consider plunging into the weeds and freeing the poor thing, but I am stopped by the realization that I am an outsider here, that these sorts of scenarios play themselves out every day one way or another. Do I have the right to interfere and deliver the spider's dinner to freedom? If the butterfly gets out of jail free, will that inhibit its strength to fight another day?

I stand rooted to the path, fascinated by the drama unfolding before my eyes, cheering on the tiny creature, wishing it to win the battle. After long agonizing minutes, without warning, it suddenly frees itself and darts away towards the lake, stopping to sip a bit of nectar from a huge clover blossom before disappearing into the air.

I wonder sometimes if God has such a perspective. Good thing he knows better than I the ramifications of involvement. One thing I am sure of. He is cheering us on and wanting us to win our battles. I shake my head and continue on down the path, enjoying every colorful flower, every cawing seagull, every flashing bird. It is, indeed, a glorious day.