Blog Catch-up Fun...

Yes, my blogging skills are lacking as of recent, and I haven't posted a lot in the past few months. (although on this one I did get two posts in September)

THEN SINGS MY SOUL SATURDAYS... pick a song and reflect on it.
(Click the pic above, and it will take you to the site, where you can read more about 'Then Sings My Soul Saturdays' and you can join too!)

The song I would like to pick is COCOON by Jack Johnson-- not a Christian one, but one that I have heard lots in the past month as it is on one of the lullaby CD's that our daycare children listened to at naptime. Surprisingly we have also found a lot of actual cocoons at work as well (one of which I will talk more about below). Such an interesting creation by God! (see I can always bring things back to God, even though they don't start out as 'Christian' and as I went along it turned into more of a deotional too.)

Here is the song on YOUTUBE.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMaRDHqvhps

The lyrics for the song are:

Well based on your smile

I'm betting all of this

Might be over soon

But you're bound to win

Cause if I'm betting against you

I think I'd rather lose

But this is all that I have

So please

Take what's left of this heart and use

Please use only what you really need

You know I only have so little

So please

Mend your broken heart and leave

I know it's not your style

I can tell by the way that you move

It's real, real soon

But I'm on your side

And I don't want to be your regret

I'd rather be your cocoon

But this is all that you have

So please

Let me take what's left of your heart and I will use

I swear I'll use only what I need

I know you only have so little

So please

Let me mend my broken heart and

You said this was all you had

And it's all I need

But blah blah blah

Because it fell apart and

I guess it's all you knew

And all I have

But now we have

Only confused hearts and

I guess all we have

Is really all we need

So please

Let's take these broken hearts and use

Let's use only what we really need

You know we only have so little

So please

Take these broken hearts and leave

This song is really about a tough break-up between a couple, which does seem rather sad. Yet the man (as it is a male-Jack Johnson, that's singing) wants the woman to see him as more of a cocoon than a regret. A cocoon is a place where growth (sometimes undesired) happens, and something great comes out of it in the end. A regret on the other hand is an undesired thing that has happened to you, that you wish didn't happen.

Life is made up of all kinds of choices, and the choice to date is an option facing many people young and old. Not all relationships have fairy-tale endings, whether they be dating or just friendship, accquaintance, co-workers, etc. Every relationship that people are involved in will most likely have some type of conflict come, because we are just that human people. However, we do have the choice also to see our obstacles, problems or conflicts as a time to whine, complain & 'wish it didn't happen' (regret) or a time for growth (cocoon). I have been meditating on this thought, as I have been reminded during Sunday School & Sermon/Teachings at church, as well as living it out in my own life. Paraphrasing a quote from the teachings, and from a status line I have posted on my FB page, 'STOP LOOKING AT YOUR PROBLEMS AS OBSTACLES, LOOK AT THEM AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR GOD TO DO SOMETHING BIG IN YOUR LIFE!'

A cocoon itself, is something that requires 'patience & waiting'.
Caterpillar - a time of growth
Chrysalis - a time of change
Butterfly or Moth - a time of rebirth & flight

Taking another look at this idea, we found a huge green caterpillar (which we were told was a Cecropia Moth Caterpillar) at our daycare on a Friday in August. So we thought it would be cool to keep him inside our aquarium for the weekend, so that we could show our other teachers & friends (who didn't get to see him). I didn't have my camera with me on Friday, so because my daycare is also in my church, I was going to get a picture of him on Sunday. So on Sunday when I went to see him in the aquarium I couldn't find him anywhere. I opened the lid carefully, and there was already a brown cocoon made and attached to the top of the lid. WOW! God is amazing! Since I couldn't get pictures of the caterpillar (and I didn't think to take on of the cocoon) I found some online to post here.

So, because we had studied some info from the internet, my co-worker decided to take our friend home and keep it in cold storage for the winter, and then we will release him in the spring. I am so excited to see the transformation. The kids were all a part of it, so they are excited as well. (Assuming we don't forget all about him) =)

This is what he/she will look like when he/she emerges and spreads her wings...

He/She will be able to take flight and soar after many months 'trapped' in his/her cocoon. (I will try to remember to post pictures if we can get any, and link them here.)

Anyway, every thing that may come our way, whether positive or a challenge/conflict is a time where we can grow our character. God is busy at work in us, and as with the caterpillar, it's not a one-day event. It takes time for our real character to emerge, and soar beyond our wildest dreams.

So I pray that you will receive these words of instruction and encouragement, and let God 'challenge, grow, change & give you wings'! I know I am excited to see the transformation of the Cecropia Moth, but I am even more encouraged and excited about my own transformation, and you should be too (about yours)!

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

I think I will create a 'butterfly' card for this occasion... in anticipation of the one that will emerge! I may try to make an 'encouragement' card to help encourage others in their transformation! (Will link here when complete!)

BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING,