Our journey in the formation of Butterflies For Christ has been nuch like the four stages of development in the life cycle of the butterfly. We began as eggs in our mother’s womb. The Lord gave us mothers to feed and nurture us, much as he gave the butterfly the milkweed leaf. Just as the caterpillar outgrows it shells, so do we outgrow the need for nursing, etc., until we are firmly able to fin for ourselves.
The journey we have been on ending in the formation of Butterflies For Christ, has been similar to the journey of the butterfly. The three of us, Sandra, Denise and Carmen, were individual eggs planted some 38+ years ago on the same milkweed leaf. Little did we know that our connection to that leaf was divine. We became friends in junior high school and our lives have been intertwined every since. We have gone through the caterpillar stage of munching and growing, sometimes together and sometimes apart, but each still shedding something in the process. We have gone through puberty, boys, high school dances, proms, graduations, marriages, the birth of our children, divorces, grandchildren; similar to the five stages of the caterpillar. Through these experiences, we have gained strength, grown in the Lord and increased our faith.
Our fifth and final cycle of shedding, our metamorphosis, our transformation, began seven years ago, in February of 2003. We were in need of something and we found it in the form of a Bible Study. We gathered together in each others homes and began to read, study and discuss the Bible. The clearness of the chrysalis was forming and the pupa of our lives was beginning to take form.
Throughout the next seven years, our lives began to change, sometimes traumatically and other times with great anticipation and excitement. We could feel at times the struggle of the pupa as it twists and turns inside the chrysalis, striving to evolve and become that creature of beauty and form. The Lord was challenging us to deal with the issues of our hearts as we eagerly pursued Him and His plan and purpose for our lives. The tightness of the chrysalis is confining and maneuverability is not always easy for the pupa. It was not always an easy transition for us, but our focus, as with the pupa, was the end result. A new creation, a new beginning, a new life in Christ.
The three of us could feel, internally, that there was something He desired of us and we had to be patient because His timing is perfect. The pupa cannot survive unless it goes through the entire process. If the chrysalis is punctured or split open before the cycle is complete, it dies. Even though we could feel the Lord moving on the inside and we were pressing our way to emerge, we knew our cycle was not complete. There were some things He needed us to experience, equip and empower us with, and some knowledge we needed to obtain. We surrendered our hearts and our own desires to the Lord.
The time is right. The chrysalis has burst and Butterflies For Christ has emerged. Just like the butterfly, we are flying high with confidence, strength and stamina. Spreading the Good News, and allowing others to see the Lord in His splendor.
With His vision, leadership and guidance, we are embarking on a journey that is far beyond anything we could have ever imagined or hoped for. If you asked any one of us, we would gladly tell you that we wouldn’t trade it for anything this world has to offer.
We implore you to come with us on this journey. Flutter through the pages of our website and see where the Lord has taken us and be prepared to fly the limitless skies..
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
(2 Corinth. 5:17)
In His Amazing Grace,
Carmen, Sandra, Denise
