Caterpillar Soup

Transformation begins with caterpillar soup.

After Dad’s memorial service, me, mom, and sister needed a quick getaway. Driving through Shenandoah National Park, we stopped at the park’s hotel for the night. As mom opened the curtains to the balcony, she became confused with what was happening. (Years before, she had lost most of her eyesight from a drug interaction.) As we described to Mom what we saw, a colorful field of wild flowers filled with thousands of butterflies, tears filled her eyes, and she said, “Rich loved butterflies.”

Years later, at the inurnment of my dad and mom in the National Cemetery, we were meeting with the officer in charge of the ceremony. A butterfly landed on her clipboard and stayed there. We exchanged looks and without words, my sister and I shared a moment of awe. Then, in what we considered an act of profound respect, the officer didn’t disturb the creature, but carried it to her car, and gingerly placed the clipboard on the front seat. Only then did it flutter out the window. Have you ever had the experience of recognizing something as a sign or encouragement from God?

Butterflies have long been a symbol in Christianity. Billy Graham wrote, “The caterpillar’s transformation is a symbolic picture of the miracle work of Christ in transforming a lost soul into a vibrant believer who sees the world from a very different perspective—God’s perspective.”

What is caterpillar soup?

An article by Scientific American tells us that after the caterpillar encases itself in a cocoon or chrysalis, it begins to breakdown, making what’s often referred to as “caterpillar soup.” This soup contains all the ingredients to create a beautiful butterfly. One interesting note is some parts of the caterpillar survive the digestive process, forming sections of the butterfly’s nervous system.

How often have we been “in the soup” before we realize we need to change? Let’s get rid of anxiety, confusion, and frustration and be transformed!

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Romans 12:2 NLT