Poisons Inside

Milkweed Bugs eat milkweed seeds. They are actually more of a nuisance than a threat. They have a long mouth-part known as a “rostrum” which they use to pierce the plant’s seed pods and suck juices right out of the seeds themselves. Milkweed bugs can be found in all stages of growth on the plants in mid to late summer.

As with Monarch Butterflies, the toxic glycosides from the plant make the bug distasteful to predators, and their orange color serves as a warning. Birds know not to eat them.

Okay, I know you're wondering how I'm going to turn this one around into a life lesson. So ask yourself this question: "What is it that I consume that makes me distasteful to others?"

If you spend your days consuming garbage on the computer, television and phone then it is very likely that you will be regurgitating that same poison to others through rude behavior, gossip, lewd speech and inappropriate comments. What goes into your mind pollutes the heart and generally comes out of the mouth in a distasteful manner. And people will begin to avoid you.

This kind of behavior destroys your Christian testimony. In the Bible, James writes, "Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless." (James 1:26)

So, if you prefer to be one who makes a positive contribution in life and to others then heed the words of Solomon: "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." (Proverbs 4:23)

There was a song we learned in preschool classes at church that contained phrases reminding us:

Oh be careful little eyes what you see
Oh be careful little hands what you do
Oh be careful little ears what you hear
Oh be careful little feet where you go

For the Father up above is looking down in love,
so be careful little _____ what you ____ .

It is said that YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT. So, if you are what you take in audibly and visually each day, then what does that say about you? I believe the milkweed bugs are a cautionary message in nature for us to be careful what you consume.