Dear Brave Butterfly,
Reminder from the psalmist...
"The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me."
- Psalm 138:8
Friday, June 14, 2013
Friday, May 31, 2013
Cone Head
Dear Brave Butterfly,
Our dog recently went into heat - further proof it was time for her to "get fixed". She (Miley) came home from the surgery with a big cone on her head. A big cone and a very sad face.
Miley is tiny (around three pounds) and one of the happiest little dogs ever. But the cone changed everything. Her normally happy face went to sad and droopy. Her eyes pleaded with us to please take this crazy thing off. She'd trip on it as she walked in the door after being outside. She'd run into couches with it. This simple little device weighed her down and impacted the entire way she saw life. It stole her joy.
It made me wonder how often I'm wearing a cone on my head. How often do I see things through such a narrow lens that I weigh myself down with worries. How often does "cone vision" steal my joy?
God's view is so much bigger, and when we each remove the cone we can see things more from his perspective.
Miley's cone came off about a week ago, and she is back to her joyful self. A reminder to remove the cone and be free.
Kristin
Our dog recently went into heat - further proof it was time for her to "get fixed". She (Miley) came home from the surgery with a big cone on her head. A big cone and a very sad face.
Miley is tiny (around three pounds) and one of the happiest little dogs ever. But the cone changed everything. Her normally happy face went to sad and droopy. Her eyes pleaded with us to please take this crazy thing off. She'd trip on it as she walked in the door after being outside. She'd run into couches with it. This simple little device weighed her down and impacted the entire way she saw life. It stole her joy.
It made me wonder how often I'm wearing a cone on my head. How often do I see things through such a narrow lens that I weigh myself down with worries. How often does "cone vision" steal my joy?
God's view is so much bigger, and when we each remove the cone we can see things more from his perspective.
Miley's cone came off about a week ago, and she is back to her joyful self. A reminder to remove the cone and be free.
Kristin
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
A Beautiful Life
Dear Brave Butterfly,
You know a beautiful life when you see it. It stands out. It's like a light that shines through the darkness. It radiates joy and beauty from deep within.
A Beautiful Life
A beautiful life is not lived alone,
it comes from connections to other people's souls.
A beautiful life makes heavy moments light,
it remembers to smile and laugh with delight.
A beautiful life shows others you care,
and through difficult times you will always be there.
A beautiful life knows what matters,
it's about people coming together to gather.
A beautiful life expresses it's love,
through words, actions, kisses, and hugs.
A beautiful life gives thanks everyday,
knowing God provides everything that comes our way.
A beautiful life is lived one day at a time,
not worrying about the past or stressing about the future.
A beautiful life is a choice everyday,
it lets go of fear and lets love remain.
You know a beautiful life when you see it. It stands out. It's like a light that shines through the darkness. It radiates joy and beauty from deep within.
A Beautiful Life
A beautiful life is not lived alone,
it comes from connections to other people's souls.
A beautiful life makes heavy moments light,
it remembers to smile and laugh with delight.
A beautiful life shows others you care,
and through difficult times you will always be there.
A beautiful life knows what matters,
it's about people coming together to gather.
A beautiful life expresses it's love,
through words, actions, kisses, and hugs.
A beautiful life gives thanks everyday,
knowing God provides everything that comes our way.
A beautiful life is lived one day at a time,
not worrying about the past or stressing about the future.
A beautiful life is a choice everyday,
it lets go of fear and lets love remain.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Mom's Day
Dear Brave Butterfly,
Moms are special. Celebrate your mom!
Proverbs 23:25
"May she who gave you birth be happy."
Moms are special. Celebrate your mom!
Proverbs 23:25
"May she who gave you birth be happy."
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Poison
Dear Brave Butterfly,
Life can be so unfair - disease eats away at someone we love, a friend we once trusted betrays us, people who were supposed to protect us hurt us instead.
When unfairness makes an appearance, forgiveness is a tough pill to swallow. But the alternative is far worse...
Poison
I can feel the toxins invade
As poison slowly oozes through my veins.
As I look around, there is no one to see
So I wonder, "Who is poisoning me?".
As I unsuspectingly drink it in, it begins to erupt.
It must be secretly planted in my cup.
The poison is spreading like poison ivy
Making me itchy, uncomfortable, and miserable inside.
It makes me want to crawl out of my skin
As I squirm, wiggle, and get more irritated within.
God whispers: "You can make the poison go away.
There is an antidote to living this way.
Unforgiveness is poisoning your soul
As grudges & bitterness plunge you deeper into a hole."
"You think you are hurting the person who hurt you,
But you only hurt yourself as anger consumes."
Life sometimes brings pain and unfairness
But you can chose a better way - forgiveness.
It's the antidote that heals all.
Forgiveness rescues you from the fall.
So let it go and you will see.
Forgiveness is what sets you free.
Life can be so unfair - disease eats away at someone we love, a friend we once trusted betrays us, people who were supposed to protect us hurt us instead.
When unfairness makes an appearance, forgiveness is a tough pill to swallow. But the alternative is far worse...
Poison
I can feel the toxins invade
As poison slowly oozes through my veins.
As I look around, there is no one to see
So I wonder, "Who is poisoning me?".
As I unsuspectingly drink it in, it begins to erupt.
It must be secretly planted in my cup.
The poison is spreading like poison ivy
Making me itchy, uncomfortable, and miserable inside.
It makes me want to crawl out of my skin
As I squirm, wiggle, and get more irritated within.
God whispers: "You can make the poison go away.
There is an antidote to living this way.
Unforgiveness is poisoning your soul
As grudges & bitterness plunge you deeper into a hole."
"You think you are hurting the person who hurt you,
But you only hurt yourself as anger consumes."
Life sometimes brings pain and unfairness
But you can chose a better way - forgiveness.
It's the antidote that heals all.
Forgiveness rescues you from the fall.
So let it go and you will see.
Forgiveness is what sets you free.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Honoring the Gift
Dear Brave Butterfly,
Why am I here? What am I supposed to be doing with my life?
I don't know about you, but I am still figuring these simple sounding questions out.
"If you are spending too many days doing things that bring you unhappiness, then you are not honoring the gift of your time on earth.". ---- Unknown
I can definitely feel the difference between days when I'm using my natural gifts versus days when I'm not. When I'm not living out of my strengths I feel tired, drained, and my impatience rears it's ugly head much more frequently.
When I focus my time on areas where I am naturally gifted by God, I am more effective and MUCH happier.
It's a good reminder of how God instructs us to live using our unique spiritual gifts - a powerful yet simple way to honor the gift of your time on earth.
Why am I here? What am I supposed to be doing with my life?
I don't know about you, but I am still figuring these simple sounding questions out.
"If you are spending too many days doing things that bring you unhappiness, then you are not honoring the gift of your time on earth.". ---- Unknown
I can definitely feel the difference between days when I'm using my natural gifts versus days when I'm not. When I'm not living out of my strengths I feel tired, drained, and my impatience rears it's ugly head much more frequently.
When I focus my time on areas where I am naturally gifted by God, I am more effective and MUCH happier.
It's a good reminder of how God instructs us to live using our unique spiritual gifts - a powerful yet simple way to honor the gift of your time on earth.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Soaring Butterfly
Dear Brave Butterfly,
Hi friend! I recently received a letter from a popular pastor Charles Stanley. He writes about the power of transformation.
"...Colorful butterflies have begun to appear in our gardens. I love photographing them. They start out as unattractive caterpillars, slowly creeping and crawling low to the earth. They are impeded by every rock and blade of grass, and they are in constant danger of attack by hungry birds. Each will eventually struggle it's way up a tree, finding a leaf, and weaving a chrysalis. Its life, up to this point, is characterized by toil, labor, and striving.
For weeks or even years, it may appear as if nothing is happening inside the cocoon. Like the winter landscape - or the outside of Jesus' tomb - things seem lifeless and unchanging. But beneath the surface, the most amazing transformation is taking place. Ultimately, a stunning butterfly will emerge. It doesn't have to crawl back down the tree or worry about being eaten by birds. It can soar, and it will now be able to fly over anything that was once an impediment.
That's the kind of life God wants for every believer. He doesn't want us to creep and crawl through life with toil, labor, and striving. Rather, the Father wants us to soar by the power of the resurrection."
Hi friend! I recently received a letter from a popular pastor Charles Stanley. He writes about the power of transformation.
"...Colorful butterflies have begun to appear in our gardens. I love photographing them. They start out as unattractive caterpillars, slowly creeping and crawling low to the earth. They are impeded by every rock and blade of grass, and they are in constant danger of attack by hungry birds. Each will eventually struggle it's way up a tree, finding a leaf, and weaving a chrysalis. Its life, up to this point, is characterized by toil, labor, and striving.
For weeks or even years, it may appear as if nothing is happening inside the cocoon. Like the winter landscape - or the outside of Jesus' tomb - things seem lifeless and unchanging. But beneath the surface, the most amazing transformation is taking place. Ultimately, a stunning butterfly will emerge. It doesn't have to crawl back down the tree or worry about being eaten by birds. It can soar, and it will now be able to fly over anything that was once an impediment.
That's the kind of life God wants for every believer. He doesn't want us to creep and crawl through life with toil, labor, and striving. Rather, the Father wants us to soar by the power of the resurrection."
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