the monarchs

Last night, Lily (along with her daddy and grandparents) discovered that we have Monarch Butterflies in our trees. I walked down to the trees this morning and was overwhelmed by the number and beauty of these butterflies. They are migrating and decided to bless us with their presence for a few days. I am horrible at guessing how many, but there were more than enough to completely captivate me for quite some time. I am sure that we have all at one time or another been fascinated by the transformation that has to happen for a butterfly to become beautiful. But this morning, it truly took my breath away.
I watched them fly around and it seemed that they were all so blissfully content. I began to think of all they had to go through to become beautiful. It wasn't a quick or an easy process. They were once trapped in a cocoon just waiting to emerge as a beautiful creation. Is this not the walk of many Christians? It has been for me many times. I find myself trapped in a cocoon of some sort, and I wonder "how long until I get to emerge beautifully?" As one of the butterflies landed on my arm, I stared at her (I call it a her!) for a long time. Her beauty was exquisite, her grace unmatchable. Oh, how I long for her contended beauty. She was so peaceful. She has emerged from her process, complete content with the way God made her. Her only job in life is to glorify her Maker. Just like mine. Only I, choose to stay in my cocoon waiting for the Lord to make me what I think I should be. He has opened my cocoon and is waiting for me to fly away and praise His name without hesitation. But I wait. Is it fear? Is it discontentment? Today, if only a tiny one, a step was taken to emerge from my cocoon. I long to be like the monarchs. Free and content, praising my Maker. Are you stuck in your cocoon? Today I pray that you recognize that God has set you free! See the transformation and praise Him for it! Let's join the monarchs.....