Beginning to Fly

"Leave my stuff alone!" Elijah shouted at his younger brother. "Get out of my room right now!"Mom hurried to see what was going on. When she got to Elijah's room, five-year-old Lance came running out, his eyes brimming with tears. "Elijah! What's the problem?" asked Mom as she sat on the edge of his bed.Elijah's eyes flashed with anger. "Lance knows he's not supposed to touch anything on my desk, but I caught him holding my clay dinosaur! He could have broken it!""Calm down," said Mom. "I'll have a talk with Lance.""Well, he'd better not touch anything on my desk ever again!" exclaimed Elijah. Mom listened while Elijah continued to spew his anger. She sat quietly for a moment once he was finished. "Remember that colorful butterfly we saw earlier today?" she asked. "We talked about the big change that takes place while butterflies are in a chrysalis. Do you think they ever try to crawl back into those old things?""Of course not," said Elijah. "Why are we talking about butterflies?""I was thinking about how much you've been changing since you trusted in Jesus a few months ago. It's clear He's been working in your heart and helping you follow Him and love others. You may not realize it, but you've become more obedient, more patient, and more respectful," said Mom quietly. Elijah stared at the floor as she continued. "Seeing you change is a little like seeing a butterfly emerge from its chrysalis and begin to fly." Mom paused. "God doesn't want butterflies to return to their old homes, or for you to return to your old ways of behaving.""I guess I haven't been flying very well this afternoon," Elijah admitted. "But Lance is supposed to leave my desk alone!" "That's true," Mom said. "But don't you think there's a better way to teach him that?"Elijah sighed. "You mean without shouting or calling him names?" Mom nodded. "I guess I shouldn't have lost my temper," said Elijah. He paused, and then his face brightened. "I'll go find Lance. And don't worry, Mom. I won't yell at him this time." –Linda Avallone