My dear friends—there are times that in my writing I must give you a piece of my heart; perhaps, an explanation as to who I am and where I have come from along this pilgrimage journey. Today’s poem is just that. When God called me to be His child so long ago all I knew was that I wanted and needed Him in my life. Every year of this journey, He has so patiently and gently taught me more of His love and Grace. So many years, I searched for love with a desperate need to find someone to love me on earth as though it was what I needed to be validated as worthy of God’s love or as proof that God loved me. Still in the midst of it all God continued to perform His transforming work within me and gradually, steadily He showed me of His great and mighty everlasting love for me who had shunned it as though it were not enough to satisfy. The truth was that it was the only love that could satisfy this heart so that from its abundance I can now love those around me freely without need or fear. I do not know where you are along that journey; but, let me encourage you that God is about the work of filling your heart with joy, love and hope. Seek and savor every moment you can with Him. God has so magnificently displayed for us who He is within His creation. Look at the beauty of metamorphosis there is in the life of a butterfly-from a grubby, greedy, pleasure seeking worm that then encased in darkness dies to that creature it was and becomes a beautiful creature that flies about freely and bestows pleasure upon all who see its beauty and gracefulness. That is the promise God has given to all who are His followers—He will complete the transformation so that one day I will look like Him. I hope you enjoy this poem.
The Song of a Butterfly
By Effie Darlene Barba
A little girl had called Your name
Began to feast upon Your word
And like a caterpillar came
To cherish comfort: truth was blurred
I thought that if I did what’s right
You’d give me all my heart’s delight
Had I forgotten it was Grace
That had saved a worm such as I
Pride had in my heart took its place
Then I believed as truth the lie
That if You loved me as Your dear
You’d only fill my life with cheer
Above all else my one desire
To find the one who’d love me true
Enduring all I flamed that fire
And there he was, a gift from You
Human hearts come with broken soul
The pain of this did take its toll
Yet, willing heart my love stood firm
I bade You, Lord to give me strength
Your love for me You did affirm
Unveiling all its depth and length
And then You took my earthly love
To be with You- Your home above
My sorrow came like bitter rain
I searched for love again to find
Attempts to love I did but feign
Until to loneliness resigned
I cannot tell You now the why
Despite Your love I still did cry
With Broken Heart-I drew within
And built a hard cocoon like shell
How was it that I thought therein?
I’d safe from pain and sorrow dwell
There within the dark cold wall
I heard God’s voice, I heard You call
In darkness there I felt Your Grace
I struggled, Lord Your will to see
And there I saw Your love filled face
This gave me strength to then break free
So where I’d sealed myself to die
And now emerged a butterfly
Oh wondrous Joy I know is mine
And Love abounding in this heart
Your Mercy, Grace and Glory Shine
Upon my life You did impart
The broken moments You did will
That I might fly above the hill
And now, Dear God; Your love in me
No longer wrought with fear or need
This heart of mine has been set free
To pour forth love in word and deed
To those I meet along this way
And fly with joy in You today.
© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”