Monday, July 21, 2008

Meaningful Monday

A man found the 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 the little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and 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! In 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 life. If God allowed us to go through our life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as we could have been. And we could never fly.

So have a nice day ~ and struggle a little.

Author Unknown



17 comments:

Prixie said...

definitely something to keep in mind! :)

Lib said...

SO TRUE!!!!!
Hope you have a Great wk.
Blessins',Lib

Picket said...

Well said my friend...with each obstacle we overcome we find ourselves getting stronger in faith...Thanks so much for coming by and for the sweet comment....I really appreciate it...please come back any time and I hope the sun is shining on your side of the mountain today...take care1

Anonymous said...

thank you for this lesson! Hugs and blessings

Anonymous said...

God only gives you what you can handle, I have been told that over and over in my life and its true.
Love your post.
Diane

Hopefulsl said...

That is so true JO!! I really need to keep this in mine at all times.....
((GIGGLES,I SAY THIS WITH A BIG SMILE))...Hugs and Blessings to you!
Love,Stacy

Chris said...

OK, but I think my wings have wings now...so the struggle part can stop at any time. I'm ready for a little "ease on down the road" here.

I think I'm in need of some of those batteries of Linds'.

Baba said...

Hi Jo, thanks for sharing your wise and strong words with us.You make us think about our life and how we can share it with others and get closer to God..Hugs, Baba

Janice said...

WOW! Beautiful and very meaningful story. Thank you!
Janice

Linds said...

Lovely, Jo.

Feathers???? I must check in the mirror. You never know!

Julie said...

You've "changed your blog's clothes" since I last visited. I like it! I especially enjoyed scrolling back and seeing what you've been doing on your beautiful property. After a really crazy few weeks, I hope to be back more often. I hate not being able to keep caught up with my blogger friends.

Mountain Mama said...

How true,. This is a good story. Thanks for sharing it

oldcrow61 said...

A lovely story Jo and beautiful picture.

Judypatooote said...

I think it's a sad story....but a good lesson.... check out my blog JO..... judy

BittersweetPunkin said...

What a beautiful post....and so true!!
Blessings,
Robin

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the story, Jo. Something to keep in mind when times get rough.

Tina Coruth said...

Well said, Jo! That is a valuable lesson for us all!