Miracles, Bicycles & Easter

Once upon a time there was a little girl who was given a camera. She really didn't know too much about taking pictures, but she loved the idea of capturing images instantaneously. She was recovering from seven weeks of daily trips to the hospital for radiation (to combat dastardly cells going awry in the future) and she was adamant--bent on getting more exercise into her days. So riding her bike became her activity of choice. At first a few miles, then several, then more. When she was given an odometer the miles started mounting as she competed with herself...... from 11.9 miles a day to 17.3 and then 23.5 and then onward to an unbelievable 31.7!! Wouldn't it be awesome, in this her 50th year, to ride 50 miles in one day?? That was a lofty and unbelievable goal for certain, but "peddle onward" was her motto. The miles mounted.

When the fifty mile goal was established there was purpose in the peddling. A new day dawned gorgeous: the blue sky, lilting morning had arrived and off she went, with water bottle and camera stowed in their respective places. Across the peninsula lay Lake Michigan and a village suitable for a destination. She rode off with that crystal blue water-in-mind. The gentle breezes kept good company and the rolling hills were companionable, and before she knew it she was rounding the bend into town. Hip, hip, hooray! Dismount, catch your breath, eat your cherry muffin and take some pictures of those amazing flowers. Celebrate the halfway point. Twenty five miles and a few pennies beyond.

So our little photographer began reminding herself of the lessons learned so far. Sun behind you. Change the lens setting to up-close focus. Choose a specific subject: whoa, there's a gorgeous, uniquely colored sunflower. Hold the camera very still, brace it into your body and squeeze the button. OH FOR GOODNESS SAKES!!!! Just as she was coaching herself thru the taking of the sunflower picture, what should happen? A monarch butterfly landed exactly where she'd trained her lens! Snap! She pursed her lips so as not to squeal. Snap. Snap. The butterfly began walking across her sunflower. All the blood was gone from her lips, she was pinching them so hard. Snap. Snap. Snap.

And just as gently as the butterfly arrived, it flew off again, but leaving a trail of evidence -- evidence of the miracle that had just unfolded. The ride back home was merely an after-thought, as she went flying across those hillsides to share the story of her experience with others. She had documented a modern day miracle and had the evidence ready to down-load.

I am reminded of this fable on Easter. When the tomb is empty and butterflies are the subject of children's sermons, as they emerge from their dark dens to grace us with the Easter story in our very midst. Alpha and Omega. Beginning and End. Trust and Faith. They all merge together as we share our stories, as we participate in observing the world around us. Train your lens on what is beautiful and watch for the miracle to unfold. We are a Resurrection People. Hallelujah!! HE IS RISEN, INDEED!!