The Butterfly Circus

As we navigate this earth life, we are sometimes faced with circumstances and situations that challenge our resolve to continue in our pursuit of the dreams that the Almighty has placed within us.

We encounter difficulties and trials, financial struggles, health issues, nay-sayers, and every sort of scheme the enemy can muster to discourage us from continuing onward. Sometimes we just need to be reminded that the process of becoming what we were created to be is not meant to be an easy one. Butterflies aren't born as tiny little versions of their parents. They enter the world as a less-than-attractive little worm-like creature, but through a process of isolation and great pressure, they become beautiful & graceful flying marvels, sparking a bit of child-like wonder in anyone who witnesses them as they flutter by.

As I have been battling discouragement today, I was faced with news that seemed to just add insult to injury. I told my husband, "I will not be discouraged by this. I refuse to do it." I went on to say (as much to myself as to him) that we must be on the verge of something really powerful, because the resistance we have been receiving the past year or more has been intense and nearly non-stop.

Enter The Butterfly Circus. This brief movie (20 minutes) is one I have seen before but felt led to watch again today. There is an abundance of symbolism is this project and a host of potential sermons reside therein. The lessons are simple but very profound. The one I am walking away with today is the reminder, as spoken by the Showman, "The greater the struggle, the more glorious the triumph."

The movie features motivational speaker Nick Vujicic, a man born without arms or legs. I strongly encourage you to take a few minutes out of your crazy life and watch this uninterrupted, soaking in the priceless messages of hope, restoration, and overcoming that are portrayed in this story. And by the way, have a box of Kleenex handy.

For more information about Nick and his ministry, visit lifewithoutlimbs.org.

Since space here will not allow a screen size that will let you enjoy this movie at its best, I'm linking you now to the official site. Enjoy.

The Butterfly Circus

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work 

so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

James 1:2-4

I am Certain of This One Thing

Sometimes I feel so close to Jesus that I can almost taste the sweetness in the air as His fragrance seems to permeate the air around me. Other times, I don't feel Him quite so close, but must rely on the simple truth that He is faithful, and that even though I don't "feel" Him, I know He is here. Tonight falls into the latter category.

As I sit here listening over and over again to a couple of songs that are deeply ministering to my dry and thirsty spirit, I am once again overtaken by the immenseness of His love for me. Tears flow readily as I drink in His goodness. I don't know why He loves me so much, nor can I explain why He has chosen me, an immeasurably imperfect vessel, to carry out His kingdom purposes in this generation. But He does, and He has.

So here I sit in a darkened room, with lyrics declaring His faithfulness and music that soothes my soul washing over me like a cool and refreshing waterfall on a steamy Texas summer day.

"All I ever know is Jesus, You are faithful to the end."

These are words I have spoken over and over as I have recounted to wounded women the part of my story that includes a broken marriage and the unbelievably dark clouds that shrouded my heart month after month as I underwent deep emotional healing. In my darkest moments, when I felt completely and utterly alone, the only thing that gave me the strength to draw my next breath was the knowledge that Jesus was faithful. It was the grace that I found woven through the tapestry of my heart through a lifelong love relationship with Him that enabled me to keep going through the process of healing. When I didn't know anything else, I knew the character of my God. I knew He was with me, even though I couldn't always feel Him.

As we face uncertain times and the unrest that naturally accompanies seasons of transition and change, of this one thing I am most certain: Jesus is faithful to the end. He will never leave me or forsake me. He did not bring me here for anything other than His divine plans for me - the plans to prosper me and not to harm me, to give me hope and a future. Of this I am sure. 

Keep standing, dear friend. Don't sit down. That which has been conceived in you is about to be birthed into the glorious fulfillment of the destiny for which you were born. We don't have to understand it all right now. He will reveal all truth to us in His time. Until then, let us remain steadfast, continuously reminding ourselves and one another that He is faithful to the end - that He is faithful to complete the good work that He has begun within us.

"The LORD gives strength to his people; 

the LORD blesses his people with peace."

Psalm 29:11