Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

I received this in an email, and unfortunately I do not know the author, but I wanted to share it with you.


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. 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?

Mom, I'm Ready

“Mom, I’m ready to start having quiet times,” my 7 year old said quietly, as he entered the room at 6:30 AM yesterday. I was just getting into my own devotions but decided this was not one of those times to shush him. “That’s funny, I’ve actually been thinking a lot about that,” I told him. He continued, “When I wake up I want to stay up and not got back to bed, so I think I’m ready.” The rule at our house is before 7:00 it is “quiet time”, so daddy and mommy can get their devotions done in peace without questions, wants or demands. It doesn’t always happen but the kids know it is a rule.

The last time I was at my parents home, I found my “children’s daily devotional’s” that I used when I was a kid. I asked my mom to give these to him for his 8th birthday. I also asked her to write about the importance of spending time reading the Bible every day.

You see, when I was eight years old I asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins and come into my life. I thanked Him for what He did for me on the cross and I gave my heart to Him. Then, in order to get to know Him better I started having quiet times every day. I explained all this to Little Professor telling him how Grandma was going to send him the same books I used. His eyes lit up and he smiled real big. “But, if you want, in the meantime, you can start a journal and begin reading Proverbs” I told him.

“This is something my dad showed me,” I began, “the book of Proverbs is full of wisdom and there are 31 chapters. Look at the calendar and tell me how many days are in this month.” Little Professor cheered and noted that there are 31 days in October. “One for every single day!” he said. I gave him a black spiral notebook to use as his journal. Telling him that every day he could write in it what he wanted. He could write how he felt or anything at all, but to also write the verse he liked best from his reading and the date. I told him I still had one of my first journals.

So, my Little Professor started his journey yesterday October 1st, spending quiet time reading scripture. His 8th birthday is only 5 days away. This was an answer to a fervent prayer from a mother’s heart, who desperately wants all of her children to seek the Lord and follow hard after Him. I cannot tell you how wonderful it was for him to ask on his own!

“Mom”, he said, “I guess I have a head start on you, because I asked Jesus to come into my life when I was like two” I smiled and said, “not quite that young, but yes you do”

Not ten minutes later he had his verse, Proverbs 1:19. “This is a great one Mom, listen to this verse”. “All greedy people end up this way. Greed takes away the life of the greedy person.” “That’s really powerful, isn’t it mom?” I raised my eyebrows and said “wow, that sounds serious”. He shook his head and said “yeah, pirates really need to hear this one!”