This past few weeks I have been connected with numerous challenges that are EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. I am so amazed and thankful for people who choose to do it JUST RIGHT and trust God in difficult circumstances.
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This story has been all over the internet and on thousands of blogs. So, forgive me if you have read it before. It is new to me! Most people say that the author is anonymous, but I did see it attributed to a woman named Mary Sullivan. It was sent to me by a GIGATTAATTGIG FB member yesterday. After reading it, I decided to change my post to this. If you have already read it, feel free to skip on down to the links at the bottom.
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A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
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Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.
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In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners.. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see.'
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'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.
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Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft.
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The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.
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Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.
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The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'
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Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water... 212 degrees! Each reacted differently.
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The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.
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The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.
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The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
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'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? Think of this: Which am I?
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.
.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners.. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see.'
.
'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.
.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft.
.
The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.
.
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.
.
The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'
.
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water... 212 degrees! Each reacted differently.
.
The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.
.
The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.
.
The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
.
'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? Think of this: Which am I?
- Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
- Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
- Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity?
Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
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Here are some of my friends, some of your friends,
or friends of friends who are choosing
to do it right and trust God in the midst of great challenge!
1. Cathy was in a terrible truck wreck years ago and has had major health problems, including horrific migraines, from the injuries suffered. She and her husband "Doc" refused to give up and believed that something could be done. She had a shunt put in two weeks ago to relieve spinal pressure and by the afternoon of the surgery she was "dancing with the nurses" - praising God!
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2. Grace is a teenage girl who has had migraines for 7 years. There were a lot of theories until recently. Through it all Grace and her family have trusted God. A very small pituitary tumor showed up on an MRI two weeks ago. Last Wednesday, doctors broke her nose and cut open her gums to get to her pituitary. There was "stuff" in there that needed to be moved and taken out. After surgery, Grace was headache free. She went home on Sunday and played a game with her family amidst light and sound.
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3. In the fall, Scott passed from this life, leaving behind Bonita and their 4 children. Scott's 33rd birthday would have been on Valentine's Day! Since Scott died in the fall, Bonita has lost two grandparents and the family dog. The children have all battled sickness. Bonita, in the midst of a fog of grief, is reminded of Scott's words: God Is Good All The Time! http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/scottmcendree
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4. On February 2, LeGrand Strickland was struck by a roadside bomb in Pakistan. LeGrand is now in critical condition in a San Antonio hospital with his wife, Carrie, and family by his side. LeGrand's legs have been amputated and he has contracted meningitis. This family loves and trusts our LORD. Updates are here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/legrandstrickland
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5. This afternoon, Jenny Ross Bizaillion, after battling pneumonia and multiple complications, went home to be with God. Her family has posted the following:
Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is yoursting?
But thanks be to God!
He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
Jenny Bizaillion passed from this world at 3:38pm.
She was the most beautiful, wonderful friend,
perfect mom,
devoted sister,
loyal daughter,
and best wife a person could ever have.
We will see her again.
We will see her again.
We lift up Jenny's entire family to God for comfort and peace!
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You may be thinking of someone right now who has been under great challenge and is choosing to be "coffee". Give them a call! Write a note of encouragement! Stop right now and pray! Take them to lunch! It might be just what they need to not become too hard or too soft.
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GIGATTAATTGIG
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