Cocoon

Cocoon-I sometimes get the thought that God has me in a cocoon right now. I
kind of compare it to the cocoon of a butterfly. Although not scientifically
accurate, these are some of the ways that my life seems to be a bit like
that of a butterfly in a cocoon.

First, it is a time of transformation. In goes a caterpillar, out comes a
pretty butterfly. I am not sure how much my physical attributes will have
changed when I emerge from my cocoon. I can't imagine much, although just
being able to walk and talk again should provide some changes in my
appearance. However, I suspect that some of my biggest transformations
taking place while I am still in the area of values, priorities and
attitudes.

Secondly, the cocoon is a place of maturation. A caterpillar., when it
enters the cocoon, is certainly not the mature butterfly it is when it exits.
Likewise, I entered the cocoon of my present existence as a new Christian. I
had a lot of zeal but I also had a lot of self-centeredness and all the
not-so-nice qualities that go with a self-centered person. Plus, though I
knew I was saved, that is about all I knew. So God has been using my l-o-n-g
cocoon time to instill knowledge, especially of the Bible, in me and also to
remove selfishness from me. When I finally emerge from this cocoon, I will
be a much more mature Christian.

Thirdly, a cocoon is a place of protection. At least I think it is. I don't
imagine a caterpillar/butterfly has a lot of enemies while in the cocoon.
But, for all I know, I could be wrong. I do, however, know that the cocoon that I
seem to be in is God's way of protecting me from a lot of things that people
"out there" have to deal with. Things like unemployment, bills, marriage
problems, etc.

Fourthly, a cocoon is a place of isolation. One cocoon for one caterpillar/butterfly. Not always but a lot of the time, Long-term Care, my cocoon, is a place of isolation. Just as a caterpillar/butterfly has to be alone in its cocoon, there are times that I have to be alone in my cocoon. There are times that other people simply can't be with me, there are things that I have to go through that I must go through alone and, most importantly, I need lots of time alone with God to become the person that God wants me to become.

Fifthly, nobody notices a cocoon or what is in it. I don't remember ever seeing a cocoon. I often feel totally unnoticed in my cocoon. Kind of like out of sight, out of mind. But, just like a pretty butterfly gets noticed, I am sure that, once I emerge from my cocoon, I will get noticed. Probably more than I want!

Finally, and this is mere speculation, a cocoon doesn't appear to be very comfortable. I could be wrong. Perhaps a butterfly is comfortable while still in the cocoon. All I know that it is not comfortable in my cocoon and seems to be getting even less comfortable all the time. However, once I come out of my cocoon, I am sure that I will finally be comfortable again. I wonder what that will feel like?

Even though not scientifically accurate, the analogy to a butterfly in a cocoon seems describe the situation I am in right now.