Friday July 8 2016  THE BUTTERFLY

Due to today being cramped for time I have decided to share an “article” that Dave found when sorting through papers from years ago.  I don’t know who wrote the article, when, or how it came into our household.  All I know it speaks loud and clear.  If I knew who wrote it I would certainly give the author credit. 

“BUTTERFLY

A man found a cocoon of a butterfly.  One day a small opening appeared.  He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole.  Then it seemed to stop making any progress.  It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could, and it could go no further.  So the man decided to help the butterfly.  He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon.

The butterfly then emerged easily.  But, it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings.  The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time.  Neither happened!!  It fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings.  It never was able to fly.  What the man, in his kindness and haste did not understand, was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.  Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives.  If God allows us to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us.  We would not be strong as what we could have been.  We could never fly!!

I asked for Strength……..and God gave me Difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for Wisdom………and God gave me Problems to solve.

I asked for Prosperity……and God gave me Brain and Brawn to work.

I asked for Courage……….and God gave me Danger to overcome.

I asked for Love……………..and God gave me Troubled people to help.

I asked for Favors…………..and God gave me opportunities.

I asked for nothing I wanted………….I received everything I needed.

Philippians 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”   

One of the riches I have discovered in life is that the more I am grateful, give thanks and praise to our God Almighty, and have an attitude of thanksgiving, the more abundantly God pours into me all that I need.  Be aware that we may sometimes need to experience struggles in our lives and in the midst of our trials and struggles continually give thanks to the Father for being right there with you.

AS YOU WALK THROUGH THE UNKNOWN

By Kathleen Martens

July 8, 2016

Day to day as trials assail

Regardless the mindset you’re in,

Give all hardship to God above,

For He is your greatest friend.   

We may question

Why we go through the pain

As we fail to comprehend

What there is to gain.

Just take one day at a time

And surrender to God’s will.

God’s plan is good for your life

In His presence be silent and still.

Allow the Lord to fill you with peace

As you walk through the unknown.

And in hindsight meaning will come

For by God it will be shown.

Thank You God for the all the trials through which You have sustained me.

Thank You Lord for teaching me to live in the moment.

Thank You Lord that You are the God in whom I can trust.

Thank You Jesus for the times I felt Your presence right there with me through my darkest nights.

Thank You Lord for loving me.

Thank You for rest.

And thank You Lord for this is the day that You have made and I will rejoice and be glad in it!

Have a great day!

GOD BLESS YOU!