The Simple Things

Dear Brave Butterfly,

It's so easy to breeze by the simple things in life.  Our health, the ability to walk, the laughter of a child can often be taken for granted until taken away.  Give thanks for your many blessings. 

What simple things are you thankful for?

Be Me

Dear Brave Butterfly,

Hi friend!  Some days I desperately want to extend my wings to fly, but I feel caged up.  The more I try to conform or mold myself into what I think I "should be", the more my wings are pinned down.  Instead I'm embracing something different... being me.

Who you are is no mistake.
You are one-of-a-kind.
Unique.
No other person ever has been you.
No other person ever will be you.
You were created with a specific purpose.
Designed to be just as you are -
Made to be YOU.
So repeat to yourself, "Be Me".
And always remember, "Being me sets me free".

Breaking the Cycle

Dear Brave Butterfly,

Hi!  Here's to breaking the cycle... 

Breaking the Cycle
As you drive up the freeway
You see all the shops
Each one calling
For you to stop

They all promise
To make you feel better
New cars, new clothes, 
purses and sweaters

They call you in
With their advertising campaigns
Beautiful women
Airbrushed with no shame

They convince you
"You too can be perfectly made"
If you would just buy
Lipstick in this perfect shade

So you try it out
And it works for a day
Until you see the next ad
And what it has to say

Another area of your life
Needs something else
To make you feel better
And okay with yourself

The cycle is endless 
As you buy and you pay
But deep down you know
"Things" won't make you feel okay

You can't buy happiness
It's a gift free to all
If you will just step back
And answer the call

Your worth comes from knowing
You are a special child of God
Loved and crafted
To be just who you are

Freedom

Dear Brave Butterfly,

Be free... 

Two simple words, yet often they feel so lofty.  Sometimes I feel chained down by the expectations of others.  The more I try to mold myself into someone else's view of who I should be, the more caged up I feel.  God gently reminds me freedom comes in a different way - it comes from being me.

It was no mistake.  I designed YOU to be YOU.  Stop trying to be anyone other than who I designed you to be.  Live in the freedom of being you!

Fairytale ending

Dear Brave Butterfly,

Hi friend!  Is anyone else chasing after the illusive fairytale?

Deep down I want it.  I want to ride off with my true love into the beautiful sunset and live in this euphoric moment of love and bliss forever (just like all the Disney princesses).  I want to experience unconditional love in every relationship.  I want to experience a life free of aches and pain ... one where your body never fails you.

The worlds bombards me with messages convincing me I can buy the fairytale - the perfect wedding, the perfect body, the perfect clothes, the perfect solution to my growing number of wrinkles.  These things help temporarily, and then that nagging feeling returns.  My life is no fairytale. 

Then it dawns on me.  The fairytale is not for sale.  The fairytale has been placed in my heart for a reason...it is my longing for heaven.  And someday I WILL have the fairytale ending.

Restful

Dear Brave Butterfly,

Hi!  Today's message is a simple reminder:

Rest = Restoration

Fear Not

Dear Brave Butterfly,

Hi friend!  Lately I have been reminded to let go of my fears.  They appear throughout the day threatening to drown out my joy in life.  They create a barrier to me loving deeper.  Here's to letting go of fear and holding on to God.

"Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear."
- 1 John 4:18


Fear Not
The alarm clock beeps
Waking me from my sleep
A sleep so deep
My nightmare is still fresh in my mind

A conveluded web
Of running and enemies
My dream was dark and scary
But now you are with me

I remind myself of truth
You are loved, enough, and forgiven
You don't need to run
You can rest this side of heaven

I did not call you
To a life filled with fear
That is from the one
Who roams the world and brings on tears

Rest in my arms
Fall into my embrace
I'll hold on to you forever
I have given you my grace.

I cry out: I need your peace, I need your love
I need your strength & might
I need your joy, I need your arms
Without you I soar aimlessly like a kite

I breathe a sigh of relief
My head it starts to clear
God is bigger than the lies
I truly have nothing to fear

I head to work with peace
And go about my day
But slowly fear crawls back again
Making me aware I need to pray

The tension a reminder
Of my need for you each moment
For without you I am vulnerable
I simply am unable