After twenty years having the same middle aged single man living next door, we were surprised last Friday when a van arrived, collected his belongings and the house was empty. The next day, new neighbours arrived – an Eastern European family. Suddenly we have heard unfamiliar noises from next door – the pitter patter of tiny feet on the stairs, hammering of nails into walls, soft conversations in a foreign tongue.
Tidying up an upstairs room, my attention was drawn to sounds outside in the neighbouring garden. When I looked out of the window, I saw the little boy who I suppose to be about three years old, absolutely fascinated by the butterflies that were fluttering around the buddleia shrub. ‘Hello! Hello!’ he was saying excitedly to each one. Every time they would fly off as he approached; every time he found another to greet enthusiastically and welcome into his garden.
He was so taken in by the beauty of each one, he wasn’t at all put off by their unwillingness to engage with him. In fact, it almost made him more determined.
Sometimes we get so used to the beauty of God’s creation that we don’t appreciate its wonder. Sometimes we need to become like children again and see things as if for the first time. Butterflies are beautiful and loved. Even more so are people. How do we feel if we try to start a conversation only to be ignored. Do we persevere in trying to develop a relationship or do we easily give up? I’m sure if I really appreciated the love God has for each person I encounter during my day, I would make more of an effort with them. How welcoming am I when new people come into the Church? When they have been coming along for a while am I happy to consider their new ideas and ways of doing things?
Let’s try to say hello to a butterfly this week and persevere in developing relationships.