The Elusive Butterfly

Long ago, in the land of Heart, lived a fair maiden who dared to dream dreams. As a young child, she recalled how her father would set her on his strong knee and tell her many wondrous stories about far away and exciting places; lands she somehow knew she would one day come to also travel upon. Of the many tales her father would tell, there was one particular story that always held special meaning, even carrying her into adulthood. It was the presumed true tale of a certain species of butterfly, one that was seen by very few. What made the butterfly highly sought after was its emerald green wings which housed two small heart shapes, one on each wing, thus its coined name, "the elusive butterfly of love." It was said that the person who finds the elusive butterfly would live happily ever after, thus, it is no wonder the maiden searched ardently for the rare insect.

As a child, the fair maiden would prance about the woods with a butterfly net; laughing, smiling, and dancing about in glee, certain she would soon catch the elusive butterfly, but, to no avail. Weeks turned into months, and months into years, and the fair maiden grew older and wiser, wondering if perhaps the elusive butterfly of love was just a silly tale that old fishermen pass on as they sip their bottles of whiskey at sea.
One day, tired of searching, the maiden set down her net, and placing her face in her hands she began to cry. Upon the drying of her salty tears, the fair maiden decided to go on with living, no longer would the search for the elusive butterfly be part of her life.

Life, indeed, did go on, and one day, when the fair maiden was going about her daily errands, an odd-looking shape fluttered about her head. The maiden waved her arms to shoo the insect away, but no matter what she did, it would keep flying about.

The next day, the maiden was surprised to see the odd-looking shape back again. Closer inspection revealed it was some sort of moth or butterfly. In no way did it look like the elusive butterfly of love, in fact, this butterfly's markings and colors were quite different. And so, the fair maiden would go about her errands, and the odd-looking butterfly would follow her, returning each day to flutter about her head. It was not long before the fair maiden and the butterfly formed a unique relationship. For some odd reason, the butterfly seemed to enjoy the maiden's company, and the fair maiden felt a sense of peace and comfort, knowing her winged companion would never leave her side.

Many years passed, and one day, for some strange reason, the fair maiden recalled how she used to search for the elusive butterfly of love. In fact, the more she looked at her faithful winged companion, the more she wondered about the validity of the story of the elusive butterfly. Curiosity soon began to turn into discontentment with the butterfly she had devoted so much of her life to. "Look at you," she whispered to her faithful companion as he sat upon her finger, "You are not beautiful emerald green. Now, especially after so many years, your wings are dull and frayed. Do not worry though, my little friend, you are not the elusive butterfly of love, but you have been faithful, good, and true. I will keep you by my side always."
The maiden set down her winged companion and went outside to the rose garden to get a breath of fresh air, and what did she see? Green as a sparkling cut emerald fluttering about, a pink heart on each wing; the elusive butterfly of love! Like a young school girl, the maiden pranced with glee, scarcely able to believe her eyes! Suddenly, it dawned on the maiden that now she must decide what to do; should she run for a net, or just watch the elusive butterfly as it flutters about her garden, soon to fly away and most likely never be seen again. Joy turned to sadness as the maiden knew what she must do. The maiden gave the elusive butterfly one final look, acknowledging his existence, and turning away, walked out of the garden to return to her faithful winged companion who had befriended her so many years ago.

Inside the house, the maiden was shocked to see her dear friend looking strangely ill. His wings beat weakly, and he could not even manage to fly. The maiden gently picked up her companion and caressed him in the palm of her hand, clearly evident he was at the end of his life. Upon the butterfly's final breath, the maiden shed many tears, tears which flowed over her loving companions frail body. Suddenly, as if out of nowhere, a glimmer of light came from out of her hand. "What is this?" the maiden thought. The ragged wings of her beloved companion seemed to reveal under them something more lovely. Carefully, and tenderly, the maiden peeled away the tattered, old shell which encased her winged friends body, to reveal beautiful wings of emerald green, a small pink heart on each side. Both tears and joy filled the maiden's heart, and her story was thus passed down by the old fishermen sitting down by the sea.

Real life application:
Aren't we all guilty to some degree of searching for or desiring something that, in most cases, is right under our very noses? Thankfully, unlike the above fictional story, love is not elusive at all, and in fact, it is all around us, if we would only fearlessly trust, not only God, but the power of love.

The Dark Candle

A man had a little daughter -- an only and much-beloved child. He lived for her -- she was his life. So when she became ill and her illness resisted the efforts of the best obtainable physicians, he became like a man possessed, moving heaven and earth to bring about her restoration to health.

His best efforts proved unavailing and the child died. The father was totally irreconcilable. He became a bitter recluse, shutting himself away from his many friends and refusing every activity that might restore his poise and bring him back to his normal self. But one night he had a dream.

He was in Heaven, and was witnessing a grand pageant of all the little child angels. They were marching in an apparently endless line past the Great White Throne. Every white-robed angelic child carried a candle. He noticed that one child's candle was not lighted. Then he saw that the child with the dark candle was his own little girl. Rushing to her, while the pageant faltered, he seized her in his arms, caressed her tenderly, and then asked: "How is it, darling that your candle alone is unlighted?" "Father, they often relight it, but your tears always put it out."

Just then he awoke from his dream. The lesson was crystal clear, and its effects were immediate. From that hour on he was not a recluse, but mingled freely and cheerfully with his former friends and associates. No longer would his darling's candle be extinguished by his useless tears.

A Tiny Drop of Water

A tiny drop of water washed away the land and buildings fell, floating away with other people's dreams.

Roadways planned and formed by huge machines and men who sweat and hammer the world into shape, were pushed away with little effort.
People ran and cars clogged highways in an effort to stay ahead of the possible destruction that tiny drop of water could cause.

"Wait!" you say. "It was much more than a tiny drop of water. The streams overflowed and the rivers broke through their banks causing a wall of water to destroy those things."

Yes, but it was made up of tiny drops of water. Raindrops which together wore a path right through my yard with little effort. One drop, then two then thousands, millions and all together they changed the world, our world.

Can't you see the significance in that?

I want to change the world. I am tired, worn out from weeping at the sight of still another death not just on the field of battle laid out by warriors, but in the streets of every city, in the fields of the impoverished, desolate reaches of the world. They are dying in my country and yours by bullet, by starvation, disease, arrogance, stupidity and pride.

A tiny drop of water gave me hope.

I am but one drop in the sea of humanity, but like the rain I can join together with others and wash away the hatred and pain I anguish over. One drop, then two, then thousands, millions and all together we can change the world. our world.

I want to change my life. I am tired of being in debt. I am worn out from trying to keep pace with the world. I have tried my very best to get ahead and find myself falling behind each step of the way.

A tiny drop of water gave me hope.

It fell upon the hillside just behind my house. One single drop of water joined with others forming a stream.

Like trying one more time. Like doing one more thing. Like pushing one more inch to reach the goal, the dream I long to touch and make reality. All my little efforts make big changes.

The little stream that ran down my driveway, never having been there before, began as one single drop, until one drop after another, trying again and again, washed the soil away and moved the tiny pebble and eventually the rock.

I cannot push away the fear nor change my life overnight, but if I dedicate myself to one single effort each and every day, I will see the power of changing little things to make a big difference.

A tiny drop of water gave me hope.

I am just one drop in the sea of humanity. But I have the power to change my life and the sacred obligation to move the world in the right direction.

How?

One drop, then two, then thousands, millions and all together we change the world, our world.

A tiny drop of water gave me hope.

Very Special Delivery

VERY SPECIAL DELIVERY

May the Lord open up the windows of heaven

and pour you a blessing

that you will not have room enough to receive it all.


May the Lord bless you exceedingly and abundantly,

above all you could ever hope for.


May the Lord bless you that you may walk in a financial overflow.

May you fall in love with him for the rest of your days

in the Name of Jesus.

Amen!