Butterfly Effect

I love butterflies.

A few years ago, I wrote a blog post about why they are so special to me. In case you are wondering about that sweet “God wink,” I’ll include a link to that at the end of this posting. Spoiler alert: Be sure to have a tissue handy!

Recently, The Connection hosted a garden party with a wildflower and butterfly theme. When I was thinking about that, the phrase “butterfly effect” came to mind. I looked it up to refresh my memory and pulled this small excerpt from a website full of lots of boring scientific stuff, but in a nutshell…

The butterfly effect is the idea that small, seemingly trivial events may ultimately result in something with much larger consequences. For instance, when a butterfly flaps its wings in India, that tiny change in air pressure could eventually cause a tornado in Iowa.

Isn’t that just amazing!? An action as small as a butterfly flapping its wings can cause a ripple effect that goes around the globe. Wow!

The article that I read continued with more facts and statements that lost my interest. Ha! Ha! But it ended with this thought…

Consider how the butterfly effect can play into our individual lives. With nearly 8 billion humans on the planet, can just one person make changes that echo around Earth?

When I thought about this, I thought, “This is exactly what The Connection does.”

Eight years ago, four women listened to God’s call to begin a community-based ministry. They invited a dozen friends to pray over it. Those ladies invited their friends to check out this brand-new ministry. And those ladies invited their friends. That handful of ladies that began this ministry multiplied into hundreds. Butterfly wings.

At The Connection studies, a couple of facilitators share with a dozen or so ladies what someone has written in a book, or better yet, what was written in THE Book, and those ladies grow in their faith and relationships with God and each other. They might make changes in their lives or share what they’ve learned with others and the effects spread to their families and friends. Butterfly wings.

Through our mentor program, Together, the two leaders encourage others to be in mentoring relationships. The mentors and mentees build relationships with each other. Those mentees AND their mentors learn, grow, and change. These changes affect their relationships with others and they encourage other ladies to try Together and the cycle continues. Butterfly wings.

Our five 365 Devo presenters share daily with hundreds of others. Even more butterfly wings.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? Proverbs 20:24

Consider what new adventure God might be asking you to go on. Is there something that has been burning inside of you? Something that you can’t stop thinking about? Don’t get hung up on thoughts like “I’m not qualified” or “I’m just one person. How much change can I make?”

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

If God calls you to it, He’ll take care of the rest. All you have to do is show up and make like a butterfly. Watch the ripples go out to accomplish His will. Pray for Him to show you your next step and to have the courage to be as impactful as a butterfly.

Father,

Please show us the path that you have already laid out for us. How do you want us to serve you today? What steps do you want us to take toward the future? We are yours and we want to serve and please you. Help us to not be afraid or make excuses. Make us strong and courageous. Use our efforts to accomplish great things for you.

P.S. Invite your friends, family and neighbors to check out The Connection. Be a part of a butterfly effect that spreads into a tornado like Iowa has never seen!

Mandy’s butterfly blog post from 2021 is HERE

Learn more about The Connection’s mentor program, Together, HERE

Check out The Connection’s live 365 Devo on Facebook HERE

Mandy Hood

Mandy Hood is co-founder and executive director of The Connection. She authored the book, “Let’s Get Together: The story of a unique women’s ministry.” She hopes the book will be a stepping stone to building a supportive network of community-based ministries.

Mandy and her husband have been married for 44 years. Together, they enjoy camping and traveling. Every year, they look forward to GramCamp – three days of spoiling and fun with their three favorite young men.