If I Were A Butterfly

Posted bymalcolmsmusingscomPosted inUncategorized

If I were a butterfly
I’d thank you Lord for giving me wings
If I were a robin in a tree
I’d thank you Lord that I could sing
If I were a fish in the sea
I’d wiggle my tail and I’d giggle with glee
But I just thank you Father for making me, me


For you gave me a heart and you gave me a smile
You gave me Jesus and you made me your child
And I just thank you Father for making me, me

Years ago, we sung this song with the children regularly. It was good fun. We made up our own verses and actions. It was a favourite… Then it became annoying, trivial and trite. Folks were glad it had been forgotten.

This morning I want to suggest ten good reasons for singing it:

  • I have so many good things to be thankful for – As the butterfly could be grateful for his beautiful wings, I’m grateful for beautiful sights, sounds, smells, people …
  • I can express gratitude in many ways – the fish’s wiggling, the kangaroo’s hopping. I can be creative in saying thank you using different words and actions.
  • I’m grateful for being me – for my individual character and personality – the unique, complex, frustrating, bundle of gifts and flaws that makes me, me…
  • …Even the bits that I don’t like or others laugh at – like the worm’s squirming or the bear’s fuzzy-wuzzy hair.
  • You gave me a heart… My God gave me a physical heart so I’m healthy and alive, and a metaphorical heart, so I can be compassionate and empathetic.
  • You gave me a smile… I appreciate times of happiness and joy, a sense of humour, the ability to grin, chuckle and laugh at myself and others.
  • You gave me Jesus… the teacher, shepherd, role-model… my saviour, friend, mentor… my source of faith, hope, love…
  •  You made me your child… I’m loved and cared for in a child-Father relationship of dependency and trust.
  • I just thank you Father… I have a loving heavenly Father who has resources beyond my understanding, who knows all about me, knows what’s best for me and provides for my needs.
  • For making me, me… In the mystery that we call life, my Father God, chose to make me, me – in this place, in this situation, with this family…

11 thoughts on “If I Were A Butterfly”

  1. Excellent post, Malcom! For those wanting to increase their gratefulness, I found Zig Ziglar’s book, Confessions of a Happy Christian, was a great place to start.

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    1. Thanks, Grant. Yes, I’ve read one or two books that have helped me to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. I shall look up the Zig Ziglar. It’s so important to stay positive, and appreciate what God has done for us.

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  2. With all my heart, Malcolm, I needed today to listen to this children’s song and to read your post in order to lift me out of some depression and up into the Body of Christ and onto Our Father’s lap to feel His Love and know His Heart. Thank you, Brother.

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    1. Thanks, Majik. Sometimes I need the simplicity of a ‘children’s song’ and a reminder of child-like faith to make sense of the rubbish around me, and to bring me back to a simple but deep faith.

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