THE CHRYSALIS (Part 2 of 2) :: My Encounter with Depression

Chrysalis -  noun

(Latin) Chrysallid-,

A protective covering while undergoing metamorphosis: a stage of being or growth.

Metamorphosis - 

(Greek) To transform;

A marked change in appearance, character, condition or function.

In Part 1, I shared with you my struggle with depression 

after having an abortion when I was 19.

Through some kinds words of healing from a friend,

I learned that struggles are normal, 

how to forgive myself 

and that depression precedes change.

I have an enemy that hates me, but his killing, stealing and destroying has been overcome

by Jesus' love on the cross and victory over the tomb!!

One afternoon, shortly after 

The Great Healing of the Darkness of My Soul began,

our family went to our city's Planetarium/Science Center.

There, in the Butterfly Garden, God spoke to me about my ordeal,

while a crowd of people gathered to watch a butterfly emerging from it's cocoon.

I was so moved by it, I wrote about it.

THE CHRYSALIS

Watching in amazement,

wonder,

some gazing with disgust

as that creature

who by her own power

crawls into a place of isolation.

Never knowing she was spinning

threads of pain,

threads of doubt,

threads of unforgiveness.

Around and around she goes

being sure to keep those strands taut, strong.

The only protection for her fragile soul.

The only thing keeping her world still.

Only knowing that darkness and passage of time

hold no relief from it,

And passage of time serves no purpose.

Unaware that she is a victim

of her own chrysalis.

Hanging now,

by a single strand of hope.

All the while, an unseen power transforms her.

Releasing her soul

to become new.

Every broken part

being replaced

with joy

being replaced with love

being replaced with peace.

Where she thought was a hiding place

had become her healing place.

So, now,

unaware of the audience fascinated by her ordeal,

she ever so quietly,

desperately,

wrestles herself from her self-made cocoon.

Not knowing why she is born this way.

Seeing the light, she is blinded by its intensity,

yet captivated

by the wonders awaiting her.

And she is coaxed by one within the crowd,

by One whose cocoon is long empty

to emerge from her pain,

release her past

and embrace the Sun.

As she unfurls her wings for flight,

she instinctively knows

her destination

and effortlessly glides on winds unseen,

toward the Garden,

as the crowd looks on.

~LeslieAnn 2001

All these gorgeous photos of butterflies were taken by my friend, 

Maureen at Cottage 960.

I am honored that she would let me share them with you!

Her photographs captured my eyes and heart! 

She sees things in her lens of life that leave me speechless.

If you love photography, you will love her blog!