Christian Photographers Community

Carrots, Eggs & Coffee Beans

A certain daughter complained to her father about her life and how things have been so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and she wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling.

It seemed that just as one problem was solved another arose.

Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen, filled three pots with water and placed the fire on high. Soon the three pots came to a boil.

In one he placed carrots, in the other he placed eggs, and in the last he placed ground coffee beans.

He let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

The daughter sucked her teeth and impatiently wondered what he was trying to do. She had problems, and he was making this strange concoction.

In half an hour he walked over to the oven and turned down the fire.

He pulled the carrots out and placed them in the bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them in the bowl. Then he ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her he asked. "Darling what do you see?" Smartly, she replied. "Carrots, eggs, and coffee."

He brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft.

He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. Her face frowned from the strength of the coffee.

Humbly, she asked. "What does it mean Father?"

He explained. "Each of them faced the same adversity, 212 degrees of boiling water.

However each reacted differently." "The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. But after going through boiling water, it softened and became weak."

"The egg was fragile. A thin outer shell protected a liquid center. But after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened."

"The coffee beans are unique however. After they were in the boiling water, it became stronger and richer."

"Which are you," he asked his daughter. When adversity knocks on your door,

how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?

Are you the carrot that seems hard, but with the smallest amount of pain,adversity, heat you wilt and become soft with no strength?

Are you the egg, which starts off with a malleable heart? A fluid spirit. But after a death, a breakup, a divorce, a layoff you became hardened and stiff.

Your shell looks the same, but you are so bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and heart, internally.

Or are you like the coffee bean? The bean does not get its peak flavor and robust until it reaches 212 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water gets the hottest, it just tastes better. When things are there worst, you get better.

When people talk the most, your praises increase. When the hour is the darkest, trials are their greatest, your worship elevates to another level.

How do you handle adversity?

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

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. II Corinthians 4:8-9

"Prayer Changes Things!"

A very good analogy, JOYCE ... Something we all should consider.  Thanks

I thought it was great when I read it and then I stopped and thought about it--how do I react.??

I think sometimes I am like a carrot; so very  fragile and when I start to wilt down; I get quickly revived when I place my trust in the Lord.

I know some people who are "hard boiled" and I really don't want that to ever happen to any one because before you know it: the egg will crumble when under pressure and squeezed.... Only the good Lord above can reach them.

I do not drink coffee but as I sat with my morning tea; I watched it get stronger and stronger while it brewed.

I want to be like that---stronger and stronger in my walk with Jesus so everyone in contact with me will see HIS love shining through.

I may not know the right words but oh , how I pray the living GOD inside of me will come through for all to see.

I think I will never be able to drink a cup of tea without thinking of HIS love for me; and for that I am very grateful today and wanted to share these thoughts.

Thanks for listening

Love in CHrist,

Joyce