Greta Oto (Glasswing Butterfly)

     A little butterfly, its body and the edges of its wings dark yet thin, perches on a leaf. Being of the brush-foot family, it opens its wings in rest. The remarkable thing about this butterfly is the center scales of its wings are so transparent they seem like glass - you can see right through them.
     Most people know about the Monarch butterfly, with its bright orange and black wings and the time of the enormous migration that they all take. But those who don't really pay attention to butterflies of course would not take notice of the G. oto (species name).
     This little creature is but another miracle of creation. Its body is toxic to predators, the males compete for females (called lekking), and the tissue between the veins of the wings lack so much pigment you can see through them. This "transparent" phenomena is incredible. Mostly it is found in a couple of lizards and frogs and a handful of aquatic creatures and plants. But for a butterfly? Beautiful.

(If it is found that I have copied these from someone who does not wish to have his/her photo here: Don't leave it on the internet for the world to see. However, if you wish to not share, send me a complaint and I will remove it.)
 - Silver Line

I Will Never Give Up On You

To my lost love. A poem.

Numbness. Pain.
"I can't do it." Tears.
"I'm here." Soft touch.
"I can't do it anymore. It's over."
Silence.
And I let you go.
I believed that it was what you needed.
I keep my distance.
I speak so very little.
And still I am here.
Yes I stand. Yes my life goes on.
But so much I would give to hear your voice again.
To know that you have grown.
To know that you are stronger.
No longer afraid.
Able to face the pain you gave me.
Just as I.
This is my hope.
Would I like to be with you?
More than anything on this earth.
But must I have it?
Sigh. No, I don't.
All I pray is that you benefit.
All I pray is for you to be blessed.
Blessed in all things.
And grow closer to the Lord.
In that light, what I want doesn't matter.
But as for waiting, I will hold on.
Maybe I will never know,
Never be told.
The unfinished story.
Your soul M.I.A.
But I will never lose hope.
Hope that you will become greater.
And welcome God's plans for you.
So if you never return to me?
I will survive thought it's not what I want.
But it's not about what I want.
It's about you becoming a man of God.
And in that,
I will never give up on you.

You Are Beautiful (a note of encouragement)

     As some of you have read in a couple of previous posts, my fiance walked away from me. The amount of pain I have received from his decision is tremendous. And his only answer of not being able to handle "it" (whatever "it" is) anymore has plagued me over and over again. I'm sure most can understand just how cutting to a woman's dignity and pride and perspective of worth is the action of a loving man no longer choosing her can be.
     I stand in God's grace. I am a giver. The Lord gave me so much love and joy overflowing that I have to give. I hold out my hand in an offering of healing. I give my smile when the sky is dark in someone's life. I live to serve. That's how God made me. How damaged do you think I felt when I offered my future to a man who asked for it, and then rejected it? Agony. Crying on the floor to the point of screaming. Praying to God, begging to be taken home to Heaven. And then when the tears stop, anger and bitterness try to take over and the desire to crush his throat or convince the entire world to never trust him again rise to the surface. And I scream to God for answers, for love.
     And I do. I do receive answers and reassurance that God loves me. Over and over again.
     A peace, a calmness comes over me as I wash the salt from my face after the tears dried. I raise my hands to the sky and sing a song to the Lord. His hand rests on me and he speaks to me:
     "You are beautiful."
     And I understand. I understand that my gifts remain. I am still whole. I am a giver. One facet in the image of Jesus, but still a part of Him. Regardless of how much the world rejects the Savior, He loves them all - each and every person. Including you and me. And the love put within me overflows. Regardless of how many times I could trust someone as much as I did and then be rejected, I would rise again. I would fall to my knees and cry of heartbreak and despair in humanity for a time, but then I would get up again. I would stand and hold out my hand once more. No matter how many scars I receive for it. Because no scar could compare to the scars Jesus received from being on the Cross.
     I am but a reflection seen in a foggy mirror - reflecting the Lord. The fog is my own sin and imperfections. But the One holding the mirror knows that the reflection - no matter how dimly - is His reflection. He sees my gifts and continues to give and grow them - slowly cleaning the mirror. And He calls me beautiful.
     So no matter what happens to you, how many times you end up hurt and questioning everything - especially who you are and if you're worth anything - remember that God made you with special gifts and He has called you to use them. He loves you. And because He made you, you are beautiful.
     So let yourself cry from time to time when the hurts of life feel overwhelming. Then remember that Jesus bore it all when He died for you. And then get up again. He says you were worth dying for. Get up. He will provide everything you need and His timing is perfect.
     Get up.
     Stand with Jesus.
     Walk with Him to guide you.
     Get up.
     You are beautiful.

Silver Dragon (a poem of encouragement)

Heart of silver, refined in the fire.
Mind of mercury, cloaking living wire.
Voice unhindered, testimony to never tire.
Eyes of blue rain, looking up to the sky.
Shining gifted wings, strong enough to fly.
Dragon boldness, motherly eye.
Truth seeker, always questioning.
Given discernment, God fearing.
Soaking in His wisdom, Savior watching.
Love offering, kind hand out to all.
Prayer warrior, pained worshiping soul.
Weight of the world, causing her to crawl.
Pariah child, why stay you to cry?
Lift your soul to the Most High
And return to your calling Sky.
Darling you are wounded through
Bleeding heart, you still love true.
But your blood serves Him too.
Your lonely strength to stand is drained,
But your shining wings remain.
So fly, Treoris, fly in His Name.