Update:
On Wednesday after getting up early to have breakfast with my wife and
then writing on the computer for a while, I went back to bed for a couple of
hours of additional sleep. I haven’t
been taking a nap for last several weeks, so this was a change in my
schedule. After getting up, I finished
my morning routine and then went to my office to work from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00
p.m. I was able to make great progress
on my Sunday message for this week.
After dinner I did some reading, did over 75 minutes of exercise, gave
myself a haircut, showered and then went to bed.
I basically rode my wheelchair the entire day on Wednesday. At the office and around the house, I took a
few steps here and there but really didn’t do much in the way of walking. I have an appointment at my prosthetic lab
today so I am hoping to get a better fit again.
Even if it only lasts a day or so with my weight loss, it would be
wonderful to walk again.
I’ve been struggling against a mental shift of viewing my prosthesis as
an agent of frustration and pain. I don’t
like what this segment of my life is causing in my mind—I am working at not developing
a sour attitude. So on a “positive” note—my
hip really aches when I am in my wheelchair more than an hour, so that is
helping to drive me out and not give me a safe, soft cocoon to snuggle
into. All of this is motivational to
help me stick to my dietary changes and exercise program—I want to get through
this stage as quickly as I can.
Thought for the Day:
“Metamorphosis is a biological process by which an animal physically develops after birth or
hatching, involving a conspicuous and relatively abrupt change in the animal's
body structure through cell growth and differentiation… A metamorphosis is usually accompanied by a
change of habitat or behavior.”
[Wikipedia]
The first creature that comes to mind when I think of undergoing a
metamorphosis is the butterfly. There are four stages in
the metamorphosis of butterflies: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The butterfly’s larva is that of a caterpillar. The
job of the caterpillar is to eat—it is the feeding stage. The pupa or chrysalis stage of a butterfly is when the
insect wraps itself in a cocoon and although nothing seems to be happening on
the outside, great changes are taking place on the inside. There is a transformation that takes place. A caterpillar enters the pupa stage and after
a struggle to free itself from its cocoon, a beautiful butterfly emerges. Comparing a caterpillar and a butterfly, you
would never know that they were the same creature in different stages of their
development.
Although applying the concept of metamorphosis to humans is imprecise,
the bible suggests we undergo something similar on a spiritual level. After becoming a believer, we should notice a
change in a person’s thinking leading to a change in their behavior. Everything changes: their tastes, their
outlook, their attitude! On the outside,
it might appear like nothing has changed; but inside in mind, spirit, and their
very nature—a radical transformation has occurred.
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has
gone, the new has come!”
“Dear Lord, How
amazing it is to compare our life to the caterpillar that is surrounded by the
cocoon and struggles until it emerges a beautiful butterfly. I pray that as I
struggle through life's challenges, that I lean on You and allow the cocoon of
Your love to surround me and the circumstances and trials to help mold me into
the beautiful creature You want me to become. Thank You for all You do.
In Jesus' name, amen.” [Os Hillman, Today God Is First
(TGIF) on-line devotional message, 6/12/2014]
The
struggles that you face today will help you emerge as a better you! Remember the lowly caterpillar that emerges
as a beautiful butterfly!
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