The Butterfly Theory

"Love is like a butterfly: It goes where it pleases and it pleases wherever it goes."

Things have been exciting at our house lately; we have two new grandchildren on the way in the coming year.  We have also recently welcomed two, adorable great nephews into the clan.  All these new little lives are a blessing, and yet sometimes I worry about all that they will face in the future.  I have been thinking a lot about how their parents will need to prepare them and raise them for this time.  One thing I know, the next generation is going to have to be strong, strong in mind, in heart and in spirit.

In many ways, I think equipping today’s children for life will be a bit like preparing an army for battle.  These little ones will need to know about all the enemies that will try and destroy them and use them for their own gain.  They will have to work harder than some in the past to uncover truth, real truth, not the “truth” the media and others will try to force feed them.  They will have to protect their hearts and spirits from those who reject their beliefs and seek to undermine their faith and moral fiber, while professing tolerance.  They will need to train for might so that they can protect those who are even more vulnerable. Perhaps most difficult, they will need to fight their battles with love, patience, caring, and integrity, and that takes a lot of discipline and strength.  It’s a daunting task, but not impossible.




This morning I heard a devotional about the “butterfly theory”

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_effect


Which in very basic terms means that even a butterfly’s fluttering wings eventually move the air and molecules in another part of the world.  In other words, EVERYTHING that we do affects something or someone else.  I was reminded that all that I do can change the world for good or bad and affect others positively or negatively.  It is sobering to think that one way or another, everyone my grandchildren and others in the next generation come into contact with(or even those they don’t) ,can change the course of their little lives.  I realize I can’t control what others do, but I can control what I do, to a certain extent.  I can speak kindly, hold firm to my faith and beliefs even when it’s not popular and do it kindly.  I can continue to love those I don’t always agree with, I can keep my words and dialogue civil even in debate and disagreement. I know that I fail sometimes, but in other words, when I flutter my wings I hope they eventually move the world around me in the right direction.  And, that my grandchildren benefit from that example.

I am also praying that those I know will embrace the high road. . .flutter kindly my friends. . .move the world in a positive direction. . . you too are responsible for the way the next generation (including my little ones) world's unfold, and I’m counting on you.