Butterflies and Lumps

Certainly you can think of a time you have been so excited that you've had butterflies tickling your insides, can't you? Maybe you were embarking on a new adventure, preparing for a special occassion, or seeing friends or family that you don't see often enough. For me, my butterflies seem to flutter in my stomach when I have the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones. This past Christmas is a perfect example of the last time that has happened to me. There is so much excitement around the Christmas season, but my excitement arises as I anticipate a visit with or the arrival of people I love. This is a good feeling.

Now, there are other times that I seem to develop a rather large lump in my throat. It's my way of holding back the waterworks. The lump is rather uncomfortable, but not quite as uncomfortable as having tears streaming down my cheeks in front of others. Oooh...if I can only hold it together until we pull away or they turn the corner. I develop these temporary throatal lumps (this is not a phrase recongnized by Merriam-Webster, but you get the picture) when I'm struck with emotion. Saying good-bye is often when these obstructions form. This is not such a good feeling.

As I think about these two physiological adaptations to handle normal human emotions, I have to think that I am very blessed to have the opportunities to feel these things. There are many, many, many people in this world that do not know love like I do and have not been given opportunities to feel or share love. As Christians, we are called to share our love and God's love. So, as we begin a new year, I challenge you (a phrase I take from my husband...thank you, Chris) to share your love, butterflies, and lumps with people you meet on your journeys.