What gives me hope in these troubling days?  One example is an activity achieved by my precocious granddaughter, Lilliana.  She will be nine in a couple of weeks.  Lilliana captured a tiny green monarch caterpillar on June 10 and began to fully care for its needs.  Abundant milkweed leaves were diligently placed in a glass terrarium.  The caterpillar ate huge amounts, in comparison to its size.  Several days passed and its colors became black, yellow and white.  A sturdy wood stem was in the container and one day we observed the caterpillar busily attaching itself to the branch.  Hours later, the caterpillar worked hard twisting and wriggling and soon, a chrysalis formed around it.  It hung from the branch and the chrysalis gradually turned from green to black. This morning on June 29, a beautiful male monarch butterfly emerged.  Lilliana carefully carried the terrarium outside, lifted the top, allowing the butterfly to fly out and hopefully live the rest of his life full of hope and excitement. (The markings told us “it” was a “he.”)

I was reminded of Cecil F. Alexander’s words: “All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small.  All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.”

On the news this morning, I learned more information concerning some of the children currently held in custody by the U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  Those held for more than 20 days must be released by July 17 (without their parents).  Evidently the ruling applies to 124 children in three detention facilities. There are several complicated, conflicting factors regarding this decision.  I couldn’t help but ponder though, about how the affected families could cling to hope while facing the dire consequences that loom before them.

The hope of a child for the life of a butterfly is no less or no greater, than the hopes parents have for their children.  All are a part of God’s creation.  Lord, have mercy!