Last time I talked about a “complete transformation”. A transformation can be a scary process. Because once transformed there is no way back. To understand better we can look at a life of a butterfly; they go through a process called “metamorphosis”. This phenomenon has 4 stages: from an egg to a larva, from a larva to a pupa and finally to a butterfly. The pupa process is also known as the Chrysalis -the process of shedding their outside layer of skin. According to scientists this process is painful, much like the process I am going through now. Transformation can be painful.

I like to talk about a mentioned in the bible, from the Old Testament. The story can be found in 2 Samuel 9. There is two main characters; King David and Mephibosheth. He was the son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul. King David and Jonathan were good friends, best friends, they share a brother-love type between them.

David was a king appointed by God through the prophet Samuel. David had 7 brothers and he was the youngest one of them. The story of David is very interesting and encouraging. He was the less important of all the brothers, he was a sheppard.

King David at this time, asked, starting from verse 3 the following:

Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?
Ziba (the household) answered the king, There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.
Where is he? the king asked.
Ziba answered, He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.
So, King David had him brought from Lo Debar...
When Mephibosheth came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor.
David said, Mephibosheth! At your service, he replied.

Don't be afraid, David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”
Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?”

Mephibosheth accepted the gift and his life changed. Sometimes, when I imagine the scene in my head, I get emotional. Can you imagine, someone knocking at your door taking you to the King; being summoned by the King. The last thing I would have imagine was that he would offer me, grace and mercy No more begging for crumbs, no more cold nights, no more ambulances and police cars, instead you are going to eat at the kings table every day.

What could I offer in return to that act of grace and mercy? Nothing! Anyone would think, but wait, there is something that can be given back, my life, my love, my loyalty and my dedication. My everyday breath, my every thought and my every action.

What a story! It has made me cry many times. Why? because, I have experienced that mercy, I was living in that hell-hole. He came for me, at the right time, when I had no hope left, at the point in life where all I was getting were consequences, and all because of my own mistakes, my own doings and actions.

I know I deserved to be punished -I still do. But when I heard the good news of the gospel, I wanted that mercy, I wanted a second chance, I wanted the life he offered.

Going back to the story…

"Don't be afraid". Responded the King to Mephibosheth. In the New Testament Jesus responded to his disciples in the middle of the storm when Jesus came walking to them "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.". Peter, one of the terrified disciples who was in the boat said "Lord, if it's you," "tell me to come to you on the water. So, Jesus responded: "Come". You can find the story in Matthew 14:22-36

"Don't be afraid". When my recovery process stared I arrived at the Anchorage; it was a frightening situation - chaos is what I saw. It was not a light decision, walk through these doors, put my live on pause, and deal with my skeletons, scars, wounds, and shadows that I was facing, never mind the fact that I had lost everything I had, including my job and children. "Don't be afraid" the creator tells us.