Easter memories and butterfly lessons

For 18 plus years before retiring from pastoring a church, I raised butterflies for release on Easter Sunday morning at the church’s flower cross. Over the years, I learned much and had gotten the timing down for the butterflies to emerge the week before Easter. That way, each child who came to church on Easter Sunday could release a butterfly. Many of the kids were given a chance to “adopt” their butterfly ahead of time and watch it grow from a caterpillar. It’s amazing to watch a caterpillar grow and then spin a chrysalis. It’s even more amazing to watch a butterfly emerge from its cocoon! Butterflies symbolize new life, which make them an excellent illustration for Easter. Their