Hey, y’all, and happy Monday! Week 7 is upon us, and we are slowly but surely beginning the countdown to the end of ASP summer. A recurring happenstance for me so far, even from the beginning of training at the porch, was seeing butterflies. I have seen them anywhere and everywhere, so I have been planning this piece since before I even wrote my first one.
I knew coming into the summer that it would be a transformative experience, but I didn’t anticipate the ways in which it would stretch me nor the areas it would grow me the most.
Honestly, I can be pretty shy at first. It takes a minute for me to open up to someone, but once I have, there’s no going back (you can ask Taylor about this). I knew that I would be pushed out of my comfort zone when it came to socializing, given that much of what I do in this position involves interpersonal communication. It has been so much fun seeing myself grow and evolve in this area. From interviewing volunteers, chatting with homeowners, and going on runs with the staff, I have grown so much in my confidence regarding speaking with others.
I have grown in so many other areas (faith, knowledge, career skills) in similar ways. This transformation of sorts reminds me of butterflies and the metamorphosis they undergo. They begin their lives as caterpillars before forming a chrysalis. The cocoon provides the caterpillar with the space and time it needs to completely reconstruct its body into a butterfly. This shows that sometimes we need to be in a different environment than what we’re used to in order to grow in necessary ways. The caterpillar would never reach its full potential or fulfill its purpose as a butterfly without going through the pupa phase of its life. This stage of isolation and tremendous change is essential for the butterfly, and it is reflective of a lot of the seasons we go through as humans.
We experience phases of life that change and grow us in ways we never anticipated. This summer with ASP has been and done just that. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day mundane activities of life and work, but it has been so refreshing to disconnect from the world and life I’m used to and immerse myself into a new area, culture, and perspective. Many times during our travels this summer, Taylor and I have had no service. Being disengaged from our cell phones and the internet has given us the chance to slow down. We have both spent a lot of time reading and exploring the cities and counties we’ve visited. Being surrounded by the beauty of Appalachia has opened my eyes to seeing God in a new way. He is present everywhere and at all times. He is in every foggy morning, beautiful sunset, and starry night. He is here. He is with us. Getting to know and encounter God in a new way has been one of the most beautiful aspects of this internship. I am thankful to have experienced this time of growth and evolution in my faith.
Pondering change, both of us as people, and the metamorphosis of butterflies reminds me of a verse from 2 Corinthians that discusses the transformation we undergo as believers. Chapter 5, verse 17 says, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!” When we give our lives to Christ, the past doesn’t matter—who we used to be, what we used to do. It is all gone. We become a new creation through our belief and faith in Jesus, and that encourages me so much.
I aspire to be a new creation in Christ each day, as I die to myself and aim to live for Him. I want to grow, change, and evolve in the areas and ways necessary. Like a butterfly, I want to come out of this season changed from the experiences I’ve had and the lessons I’ve learned. It is inspirational that butterflies can undergo such tremendous change and come out prosperous and purposeful on the other side. That is the true beauty of a butterfly.
Talk soon!
Sarah Brassfield
Story Gathering Intern
