At the water’s edge I found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. I sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that 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 I decided to help the butterfly. I took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. I continued to watch the butterfly because I expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly. Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If we were allowed 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! I asked for strength ... But I was given difficulties to make me strong. I asked for wisdom ... But I was given me problems to solve. I asked for prosperity ... But I was given brain and brawn to work. I asked for courage ... But I was given danger to overcome. I asked for love ... But I was given troubled people to help. I asked for favors ... But I was given opportunities. I received nothing I wanted ... I received everything I needed!