Hope For 2008?
“Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path.
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
Psalm 27: 11, 14
One of the wonderful books we have in the chaplaincy library is Trina Paulus’ book, "Hope for the Flowers." This engaging book talks about the life journey of caterpillars. As we begin this New Year, it feels like the word “Hope” is particularly important. Yesterday, we heard a part of Yellow’s conversation with another caterpillar. Today Yellow has decided to risk changing from a fuzzy worm to the process of becoming a butterfly. Enjoy this snippet from Yellow’s life and consider how it might apply to the living of 2008:
"For courage Yellow hung right beside the other cocoon and began to spin her own. 'Imagine, I didn’t even know I could do this. That’s some encouragement that I’m on the right track. If I have inside me the stuff to make cocoons—maybe the stuff of butterflies is there too.'”
May today be a level path day for you. May today be a day when you, like Yellow, take courage, allowing that God-given “stuff” to spin forth from your life. If we all take that risk, 2008 will be more than we can think or imagine.
A prayer for the year 2008:
God of refreshing possibilities,
Encourage me to use the gifts I have,
Allow me to emerge with new vitality this year. Amen.
Ben Keckler
01.02.08
Showing posts with label butterflies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label butterflies. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Daily Devotions - Tuesday, January 1
Hope For 2008?
“On the day I called, God answered me,
increasing my strength of soul.”
--Psalm 138:3
One of the wonderful books we have in the chaplaincy library is Trina Paulus’ book, Hope for the Flowers. This engaging book talks about the life journey of caterpillars. As we begin this New Year, it feels like the word “Hope” is particularly important. Let’s listen in on a part of a conversation two of the caterpillars are having and then consider how it might apply to 2008:
“It can’t be true!” gasped Yellow (one of the caterpillars). How can I believe there’s a butterfly inside you or me when all I see is a fuzzy worm?” “How does one become a butterfly?” she asked pensively.
“You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a
caterpillar.” (The reply from the other caterpillar in their cocoon)
It feels like there is a tremendous insight in this conversation. May the year of 2008 be a tremendous butterfly year for each of us, individually and collectively.
A prayer for the year 2008:
God of refreshing possibilities, Help me to give up what needs to be so that I can be a butterfly this year. Amen.
Ben Keckler
01.01.08
“On the day I called, God answered me,
increasing my strength of soul.”
--Psalm 138:3
One of the wonderful books we have in the chaplaincy library is Trina Paulus’ book, Hope for the Flowers. This engaging book talks about the life journey of caterpillars. As we begin this New Year, it feels like the word “Hope” is particularly important. Let’s listen in on a part of a conversation two of the caterpillars are having and then consider how it might apply to 2008:
“It can’t be true!” gasped Yellow (one of the caterpillars). How can I believe there’s a butterfly inside you or me when all I see is a fuzzy worm?” “How does one become a butterfly?” she asked pensively.
“You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a
caterpillar.” (The reply from the other caterpillar in their cocoon)
It feels like there is a tremendous insight in this conversation. May the year of 2008 be a tremendous butterfly year for each of us, individually and collectively.
A prayer for the year 2008:
God of refreshing possibilities, Help me to give up what needs to be so that I can be a butterfly this year. Amen.
Ben Keckler
01.01.08
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