~ A Full Transformation ~

Butterflys have become a highlight of our summers as they come to soak in the sun on our butterfly bushes. Even though we see as many as 15 at a time in our yard, I am touched to see the excitement that wells up within the kids as they watch one of His most amazing creations.

We have captured 2 caterpillars and put them in jars to watch their transformation into butterflys. We watched in complete amazement as each of them spun their cocoon, looking forward to the time they would reveal the beauty He created within them. However, neither one of them made it to the "butterfly stage". One died before it was able to complete the cocoon ~ one day it just stopped working, and, died. And, the other was so close - the cocoon was completed, yet, it just never became a butterfly.

As I was looking at this jar of a stagnant cocoon, I found myself praying that I never be like that caterpillar ~ So close to the beautiful creature He created me to be, yet unable to fully reach my potential because I am stuck in a cocoon that I created. Over the last few days I have thought a lot about that caterpillar and prayed about the limits that I place on myself because I am unable, or perhaps unwilling, to fully trust and grow in Him. I know I have created my own cocoon of limits created by my fear, insecurity, and hurt. And, if I let myself remain stagnant, and bound by those threads I will never be able to bust out, free and at peace, flying securly and beautifully for Him.

He has such unimaginable plans for us ~ each of us are transformed butterflys just waiting to be released ~ we only need to let Him complete the process. So, take a look at the cocoon you have created around yourself. A stagnant cocoon is so close, yet, so far to the creature's full potential. You may be surprised at the beauty waiting to burst out within you!