Why the Butterfly?

Thanks to my friend (and fellow-blogger!) Jennifer for the tip on where to find stuff to make my blog pretty. After all, if I'm going to be out here for the next year, it should be pretty, right?

In case anyone is wondering why I chose a Butterfly theme, here's the scoop. Not only is the butterfly the symbol of the jewelry company I work for (www.liasophia.com/merlebellot) but it means a lot more to me than that. In fact, it really goes to the heart of discipline. For me, discipline is doing the hard things that no one wants to do to be able to experience the awesome things that very few people ever do.

The little butterfly knows about this. Did you know that the very thing that allows the butterfly to fly is their struggle? When the butterfly is in the cocoon, it begins to beat its wings like crazy. If you "take mercy" on the butterfly and cut open the cocoon before its ready, you actually do the butterfly a grave disservice. You rob it of the struggle that gives it strength. Without struggle, there is no strength. But once that little butterfly has spent the right amount of time in the cocoon, it has everything it needs to take flight.

I think that's probably what the Lord was talking about too in James 1:2-4 (Message version - my favorite!).

"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."

I want to take my cue from the butterfly and be willing to push through hard places so I can too can soar. That's what discipline means to me. And that's why it is worth it.