I submitted this piece to Geez magazine last year; however, they didn’t move forward with publishing it in their spring edition. It was my attempt at “flash nonfiction,” which Geez defined as, “…short (25-300 words), personal experiences or insights. Your piece should capture a moment that illuminates a larger issue or convey a feeling familiar to us all. This is a chance to bring hope, insight, emotion, and connection to readers. Think of it as a snapshot with words.” I share it below. May you reflect on, and experience, the power of the Resurrection this Easter.
I witnessed a caterpillar resurrection.
Here’s the story.
One morning, as I pulled into my best friends’ driveway, I noticed the dad, and his two little boys paying homage to the furry, black caterpillar they’d recently found and adopted. No longer eating, moving, or responding, the dad had declared the caterpillar dead. The oldest son was distraught. As he tried to grasp the concept of death, and wrestled with the abstractness of finitude, his heart broke. Our empathy provided him little solace.
As we made our way into the house, the oldest grabbed the deceased caterpillar, and shouted, “Auntie Jess, God can give him life! Let’s pray!”
My mind raced with every possible objection to his request. I felt silly. No, absurd. How could I explain to this 4-year-old that God was capable, yet selective? My heart broke as I contemplated the disappointment he would re-experience when the caterpillar remained in the grave.
Again, his confident voice, “God can make him live again! Auntie Jess, let’s pray!”
My objections were no match for his childlike earnestness.
My prayer, “Dear God, you love all your creatures. Bring this caterpillar back to life.”
Three days later, (yes, three days), the dad sent me a video of the revived caterpillar. Eating, moving, responding.
My mind raced with every possible objection to this revival.
God’s voice, “My daughter, I do love all my creatures. From the caterpillar, to the child, to you. I reveal my power to all. From the caterpillar, to the child, to you.”
My objections were no watch for God’s response.