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Baloo's Bugle

March 2006 Cub Scout Roundtable Issue

Volume 12, Issue 8
April 2006 Theme

Theme: Our Feathered Friends
Webelos: Sportsman and Family Member
Tiger Cub
Activities


ONE LAST THING

The Butterfly
by Rev. Bruce J. Bartel

We have what is called "Butterfly Gardens" here in Victoria, B.C. It is most gorgeous and breath taking to see the butterflies in their developmental stages and then fly around in the enclosed treed area.

With this in mind, let the following story illustrate and be of encouragement in our life's struggles that we all face … sometimes on a daily bases! 

A man found a 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 it could go no further. So to help the butterfly he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. However it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings.

The man continued to watch the butterfly as he expected at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body and fly away. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its short 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, was 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 lives. If God allowed us to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. We could never fly!

Perhaps you have read something similar in the following statements. Read it again - slowly, in light of this illustration.

I asked for Strength.........
           And God gave me Difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for Wisdom.........
                           And God gave me Problems to solve.

I asked for Prosperity.........
                  And God gave me Brain and Brawn to work.

I asked for Courage.........
                         And God gave me Danger to overcome.

I asked for Love.........
                    And God gave me Troubled people to help.

I asked for Favors.........
                                 And God gave me Opportunities.

I received nothing I wanted ...
                                     I received everything I needed!

"And we know that ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Rom. 8:28

The idea is to keep loving God in and for all things.

Remember, what happens to a man is less significant then what happens within him.

My friend, the heart of the matter is our hearts. Let it be full of love, peace and contentment in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus. And be thou strong and of good courage.

Bird Quiz Answers

San Gabriel Valley, Long Beach, Verdugo Hills Councils

1-A             2-B             3-C             4-B              5-C

6-B             7-A             8-B             9-C             10-B

11-C           12-C           13-B           14-A            15-B

16-A           17-C           18-A

And CD’s favorite bird –



Birdsearch

Heart of America Council


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