From Grief To Grace: A Monarch's Journey and Personal Transformation🦋

A dear friend recently asked me why the monarch butterfly holds such a special place in my heart. I then shared the story of my connection with this significant creature. Back in 2020, I wrote the Found by You devotional. On one of the pages, there was a tribute to some wisdom shared by my Mom. I was the silent observer of her faithful relationship with Jesus, trusting and choosing to follow Him, even through the rough patches. This had a profound influence on my life. On the opening page of the devotional, I included a graphic of a monarch butterfly.

I had no idea the butterfly would later hold such significance.

Two days after the devotional was published, my mom went to be with Jesus. Overnight, I found myself on the path to grieving and healing. Her loss cast light on many deep-seated losses in my life that were not properly grieved. I realized recovering required acknowledging and confronting such pain head-on – to navigate the journey from grief to grace.

This blog draws inspiration from my friend, Dr. Tara Jenkins – a speaker and author. During the ‘Leading and Loving Breakthrough’ conference, she illuminated our understanding of the transformational process of the butterfly – that the butterfly develops its colors within the chrysalis.

During the chrysalis phase, the most dramatic transformation occurs. Almost all parts of the caterpillar’s body break down and rearrange into the shape and form of a butterfly. It’s during this phase that the butterfly develops its striking colors. Internal and external factors shape these colors. The caterpillar’s transformation into a butterfly is a fascinating analogy for personal transformation during grief. As Christ-followers, when we grieve, could it be possible that we are discovering new capabilities that aren’t contingent upon our strength but a resilience that comes from reliance on Jesus?

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”

– 2 Corinthians 4:16

For those of us, especially when undergoing impactful life changes like grief, this transformation isn’t unlike that of the caterpillar in the chrysalis, taking on new colors and forms. There is no turning back from the changes. Recovery takes the place of the path once filled with grief, with new mercies mending old wounds.

Grief can be overwhelming, but Jesus’ deep-seated grace and love can help to reshape us into our new form. The fact that we can emerge whole is a testament to the power of Christ’s work within us and enduring strength, aligning us with the awe-inspiring wonder of God’s work in our lives.