Beauty and Imperfections

Butterflies are captivatingly beautiful. This butterfly in particular caught my eye. It is iridescent blue and was sunning itself on this bright green leaf when I stopped to take a picture.

As I looked at this photo more, I realized that this butterfly has a story. Perhaps it has flown many miles, lived through storms, worked hard pollinating and surviving. Here it is resting, taking a moment of peace in between fluttering about, hurrying to and fro.

How vital to rest!

As you look more closely at its wings, there are many flaws on this butterfly. But it is important to see the beauty in its story. And these flaws are not even visible unless the butterfly stops to rest.

How often do we move around quickly so that we don't have to face our flaws? This butterfly is, quite literally, still! We could learn from it, and be still as well.

It's ok to face our imperfections. There is beauty in our flaws. The beauty in the flaws are what make this butterfly unique as well. Each flaw tells a story.

What is your story? Have you weathered a storm or two? Have you gotten tossed around and bumped your wings, have you healed from some hurt and lived to tell about it? Is it visible to others, or hidden away?

Have you learned how to be still and rest in the beauty of God's creation and to let him help to heal you from your pain? Have you learned to see beyond the imperfections in yourself? And in others?

God made this butterfly, and it is far from perfect. But He made it, and He loves it and He cares for it. He made it beautiful.

God made you, and it's ok to be far from perfect. But God made you, and He cares for you. He made you beautiful!

Matthew 6:26

"Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"

Psalm 46:10

"Be still and know that I am God!"

Isaiah 54:10-11

"My steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you. 'O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires."

1 John 4:12

"No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us."