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Caterpillar to Butterfly

I have a quote sticker on my Kindle case. I actually have a couple, but the one I've been seeing the most lately is this one:

It's a great thought. We all know that the caterpillar cocoons itself and turns into a butterfly. But there's so much more to it. I used to think this was referring to just simply building its cocoon and sitting there almost completely still for several days. I didn't realize the depth of this proverb until I recently learned of how the metamorphosis process actually works.

 It all starts with an egg. The egg hatches to a larva, which grows into a caterpillar. Within just two weeks, the caterpillar sheds its skin five times, it literally outgrows five skins.This whole time, it is consuming every bit of food it can. It then finds a safe place to form its chrysalis. Once inside the cocoon, the caterpillar nearly completely liquefies. 

 So, quite literally, the caterpillar thinks the world is over. Its life is complete. And that's gotten me thinking. How many times have I felt that everything was done? I've never thought my life was complete - not yet. But, I have felt that certain challenges were almost too much. I've seen my plans for life liquefy. 
Caterpillar to cocoon

My dreams and plans were caterpillars. God knows the potential for my life, and many times those plans have had to liquefy to become the breath-taking, gorgeous butterfly that God has planned for my life. It's hard. Oh, it is so hard to live through that process. I loved my caterpillars. I watched them grow, take shape, outgrow parameters, grow more, consume more. And then, just when I think my little caterpillars are safe and ready, they liquefy. I'm devastated that my caterpillars no longer exist. 
But, I know that I just need to wait. I need to be patient. Because while those caterpillars look dead and unrecognizable to me, God is working - almost in secret. One day, those liquefied dreams will emerge. They will be grander, more breath-taking, more graceful and magnificent than I ever could have imagined. Some of my dreams and plans for my life have already undergone this change, and I have seen the butterflies they have become. Others, I'm still waiting for the cocoon to shed and the butterfly to emerge.

That is an entirely different process, and a discussion for another day. I trust God through all stages - and especially with my own hopes, dreams, and plans. God knows their full potential. It's okay to feel the pain as the transition happens. Just know that sometimes, a massive change must happen before the butterfly your plan or dream is meant to be can emerge.

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