Butterfly Sense | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Butterfly Sense | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jules St. Jermaine
09/18/14
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I was a suburb gal turned country by my husband. My idea of embracing this change was to become one with nature. Since I had limited knowledge on all things farm like I decided to begin my summer with what I enjoyed; butterflies.

My first order of business was to attract them. I purchased the recommended Milkweed seeds then walked to the perfect location on our five acres for planting. The area backed up to a fragrant field of lavender, contained dry soil, and sat near a pole barn which would protect from high winds.

After a few attempts at digging into the stony dirt, I held up my warped Spade. I sighed, “This isn't working.” Reaching for the plastic bag I’d packed; I gazed inside. With caution, I pulled up the only other possible “tool” I could use, a sharp butcher knife. I’d brought this for protection from scary animals. Each stab of the blade broke into the ground like honey. An hour later, all my seeds were buried. I wrapped orange fluorescent tape around sticks creating a rectangular showcase for my future flowers. As I stood, smiling, a tiny monarch fluttered around me as if to say, “thank you.”

In early July, I almost stepped on what I thought to be a dead Fiery Skipper on the sidewalk. I admired its sunflower colored wings trimmed in black. Using my first two fingers I carried it to our Japanese maple with my other hand cupped underneath. Resting the butterfly on a thick, red branch, I said, “You can fly now, little one.” She flapped one wing, then the other, and flew away. Could I possibly have become a butterfly whisperer?

A week later, an orange Painted Lady flew in my house alongside my dog, dancing around the foyer behind the open door. Again, I spoke, "You can't stay in here, baby. You have to go back outside." I watched as it mapped itself out.

The following Saturday, a large Monarch attached itself to my shirt, just under my heart, as I chatted with a friend outside a restaurant. While we talked I put my pointer finger out, and the butterfly boarded. He flapped up to my elbow, paused, then returned to my chest. As my friend tried to snap a photo, he whiffed away.

In mid-August, I was outside mowing when numerous wasps began attacking. Apparently, like humans, they don’t care to be swatted. In retaliation, they darted toward my face. I panicked, realizing I had neglected to get my yearly EpiPen. Switching the lawnmower into fast gear, I screamed, “Jesus! Jesus, Help me!"

Once safely inside my house I rested my forehead against both palms, listening, as buzzing continued at the screen door. I wondered how to stay safe while I finished mowing. The upcoming days called for rain, and the grass was already pencil high. I Goggled how to repel wasps then put tea tree oil in my hair, changed into a dark colored shirt, and grabbed a small paper bag. Apparently this resembles an enemy wasp nest. I headed back out to mow, praying for God to protect me.

Straddling the rider, I drove back to the location of the original attack. I hadn't moved two feet when about a hundred butterflies, of all sorts and sizes, popped up from the ground, encircling me. I felt like I was in the middle a children's story; a fairy tale. They hung with me for two acres, and I never saw another wasp. I knew I’d experienced God’s love and grace. I thanked Him for His blessing.

That evening, as I was praying, I asked God what all my butterfly encounters were about. He put his answer on my heart saying, “You think you have to be so tough when dealing with your problems. You also assume the only way I can defeat the enemy is to become brutal like the wasp, but I tell you this, I can react with the lightness of a butterfly. My strength comes from gentleness. Yours can too.”

Oh, how my God always makes perfect sense!

As I opened my eyes from prayer, my mouth fell open too. In my house, waving in front of me, was a white butterfly.

I believe I've embraced being a country girl. In fact, next summer I’m going to try attracting lovely birds. Perhaps, God will give me a bit of wisdom using those too.

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