I once read that when Ladybugs emerge from their week long cocoon stage, their color is often a faint yellow or gray... and that a few hours basking in the sun will bring out their true & glorious colors. She could be destined to live in shades of blue, green, red, orange... the list goes on.
Makes me wonder about this Little Lady.
Had she ever met the sun?
There are over 5,000 species and variations of this beloved little beetle around the globe. When you think about it, that's quite a large variety for just one type of insect. How do you even begin to differentiate between them all?
The same could be said for us people. There are so many, many variations, colors, races, talents, abilities out there... how are we supposed to find our place in the world? How are we supposed to harness our true color?
Bask in the SON.
Like a ladybug, who receives her vibrant coat after time with the sun, we blossom and shine when we let the Son into our lives. I whole-heartedly believe that we cannot be truly and completely fulfilled with out Jesus.
The amount of peace and joy that I feel when I am syncing up with The Lord is unending.
His guidance and grace bring out the best in me. I am encouraged and empowered by His faithfulness.
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
I have had people ask me how I know God is real... how I can so blindly believe...
The answer is faith.
If I know nothing else, I know that God is real.
I know and feel and live and breath this faith.
I know that God is truth and that Jesus is the Savior... more than I know anything else.
There is nothing evil, false or deceiving about God.
I feel only peace and joy and love in The Lord.
Patience. Calmness. Strength. Guidance.
All else fades before Him.
Break Out.
I think this little grey lady bug got her coloring because she was just fitting into her surroundings, and not assuming her full potential. She was being a chameleon to her environment. Had she ever truly met the sun and embraced the light, she may have soared with golden wings.
Luckily for her, she is a beetle. And being grey is what she was probably meant to be.
But we are not beetles.
Don't be a chameleon.
Let the Son shine on you!
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
I want to thank Laura for having me here today. It has been a pleasure.
And I want to thank all of you Our Reflection readers for hanging with me today.
I would love it if you'd all stop by and check out Covered in Grace. There, I write about life as a mother, student, military wife, photog wannabe, writer and Jesus lover. My blog centers around my faith and all the things that I love. Every Monday I feature a new blogger via guest post in a link up called Monday Meet Ups. Most recently, I launched a web of Prayer Warriors that call out for prayer requests all around blogland. I'm really excited to see where that will go.
You can find me here:
But before you do... I have a little something just for YOU Our Reflection readers!
A Giveaway!
*Valued @ $10
Good Luck Everyone!!
I would want a gift card to Amazon or somewhere else with DVDs, I'm a movie/TV fanatic!
ReplyDelete(but this one is pretty amazing too!)
I would want one to Starbucks! I'm obsessed!
ReplyDeleteI'd love an Anthro gift card.. that store is my heaven on Earth!
ReplyDeleteI would love ANY gift card bc I am on a budget so that would be free shopping!
ReplyDeleteI love me some Target and Old Navy, but I'm saving up Amazon gift cards (through credit card rewards) to get a new external hard drive to protect our photo and video memories! Plus you can get just about anything at Amazon! Wouldn't mind winning one to Forever 21 though... ;)
ReplyDeleteP.S. What a beautiful post, Brooke! I wish I had the bravery to post so openly about my faith!
ReplyDeleteAny store? That is tough one. Today I would want a gift card to Loft.
ReplyDeleteTarget all the way! It's easy to walk out of there with loads of fun stuff!
ReplyDeleteForever21, ny & co, or victoria those are the main stores shop at, but it's rare as a mom of 3.
ReplyDeleteI love Aerie, their underwear is amazing, and they always have great deals. Plus their bras are my favorite!
ReplyDeleteI would love an Amazon gift card!! I really want a Kindle Fire. ;) And anything would help!!
ReplyDeleteGosh, that's a great question. I think I'd go with Michaels or Starbucks. Great Guest post!!!! Love LOVE LOVE Brooke and Covered in Grace.
ReplyDeleteKim @ Singledou[b]t
Amazon because they always have great deals and have EVERYTHING.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. Probably Forever21 (LOVE that place and ALWAYS can find something) or Starbucks.....those are my guilty pleasures! But hey, I'd gratefully take a giftcard ANYWHERE! Great guest post!!! LOVE her blog!!
ReplyDeletehonestly, probably walmart - that's where we buy groceries and any dent in that bill is helpful :)
ReplyDeleteI'd say Free People. i'm in love with them lately! and they're pricey so it'd be nice to get a gift card to there :)
ReplyDeleteI'd be all over a Amazon GC. :)
ReplyDeleteForever 21! More for your money!! :)
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful post brooke!! I didn't know these things about the ladybug being kinda grey after the come out of their cocoon! it was meant to be for us to shine like the stars and not blend in with our environment when we have the SON shining on us and from within us :) I love your pictures too, so pretty! :)
ReplyDeletep.s. i commented in the little box about what gift card i'd want, but i guess i'll write it here too--i love f21 because i always find a cute shirt or dress i want, or even earrings, and i can shop their for a gift for my sister or bestie no problem! I also love aerie because their undies fit so well and cute!
Forever 21!! It's my favorite store!!
ReplyDeleteI would love a Shabby Apple gift card! They have such cute dresses.
ReplyDeleteTarget, because I can always find so many great things there!
ReplyDeleteTarget. Sunglasses and tank tops are my down fall.
ReplyDeleteI would like to buy some skinny belts
ReplyDeleteTarget! Because they have everything!
ReplyDeleteTarget, because I could get ANYTHING, whether it be groceries, clothes (for me or for my family) and decor!
ReplyDeleteVictoria's Secret! Love all their stuff :)
ReplyDeleteTarget! You can get anything you need there:)
ReplyDeleteCurrently I'd say Starbucks - coffee and me are kismet!
ReplyDeleteOld Navy forever and always :D Love their clearance!
ReplyDeleteI would get a gift card to F21 because it is my favorite store and I hardly ever get to go there!
ReplyDeleteIt would be a toss up between Starbucks and Target!!
ReplyDeleteStarbucks! I'm a caffeine junkie, but I hate paying $4 for a coffee. Gift cards make it better. :)
ReplyDeleteOooo, let's see... I think I'd want a gift card to REI!
ReplyDeleteAnthropologie! because it gives me a excuse to shop//look at all there cute stuff!!
ReplyDeletemenchie's!! I'm addicted. =)
ReplyDeleteThey actually carry plus sizes, so probably put it towards clothes!
ReplyDeleteForever 21... I get the most for my $$$
ReplyDeleteForever21, best bang for your buck! Or Starbucks...yummy.
ReplyDeleteLifeway Christian Book Store...I LOVE LOVE LOVE that place...I could browse for EVER!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite gift card would be for J.Crew, but that wouldn't go too far!
ReplyDeleteMy gift card of choice would be to Anthropologie.
ReplyDeleteAny gift card, really! But I LOVE Forever21!!
ReplyDeleteI love me a good Disney gift card ;)
ReplyDeleteI would love to shop all day un Target. I love all the things they carry from home to family. I could be an ambassador for Target. Lol
ReplyDeleteI'd take the Forever21 card, because it'd be a nice lil' treat to take my tween on a fun shopping trip, just us :)
ReplyDeleteamazon - because we have prime membership and i shop there all the time. ;)
ReplyDeleteI would love an Amazon Gift Card, because they have almost everything I could need, but I'd also like an Anthropologie Gift Card, because I could only justify spending so much money if it were a gift!
ReplyDeleteLove this post! Thanks for sharing such an inspiring message. :)
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