Sometimes It Takes Awhile

We had a few more blossoms on our orange tree this past week.

Today, all the blossoms are gone.

Even the tiny oranges are no where to be found.

The tree is still young so, hopefully, in the next year

or two it will start producing (fingers crossed).

Meanwhile, the orange and tangerine tree

are acting as host plants to these critters.

They're kinda icky looking.

God created these caterpillars to look like bird droppings

to keep them from being prey to birds, their greatest enemy.

Munching on a leaf

They will eventually form a chrysalis and then emerge

as a beautiful Giant Swallowtail butterfly.

I have several of them already swarming my Dianthus.

I'm still trying to figure out the best settings to use on my camera

to capture these butterflies because they are constantly moving.

It's hard to believe that something that was not very pretty

at one time turned into something so beautiful!

Just like life, sometimes we have to go through some ugly stages

and difficult times before we emerge into a better, more beautiful person on the inside.

It's what we choose to do and how we choose to act

during these difficult and ugly times that will grow us as an individual.

Even though I am a God-fearing Christian, sadly,

I've failed many times at making the right choice, or choosing the right response

and it has cost me in one way or another.

It shows I'm still human, not perfect, but forgiven.

But, I pray for help and guidance that I don't do it again and

I try to learn from these poor choices and mistakes

so that I may eventually be a better, more beautiful person on the inside.

And, yes, I have a long way to go folks!

But, just like the caterpillar to a butterfly, it's a process.

Enjoy the process because it's worth it in the end!

Till next time,