But the butterfly had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It was never able to fly. What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.
Growth is grounded in struggle.
If God allowed us to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us. As a Heavenly Father permits His children to face challenges, so, too, should earthly parents. Resist the temptation to smooth all their paths, solve all their problems, and fight all their battles. To do so inhibits their growth and denies them the opportunity to develop the strength to fly. Textbook Rental .