A Simple Object Lesson

I got an email that prompted me to consider the different ways Christian women respond to trials in their lives.  It was a story of a mom/daughter conversation. The daughter was distraught about the circumstances and trials she was going through. She wondered if serving God really was worth it. Her mom calmly boiled three different things: a carrot, an egg, and coffee beans. When asked to explain,  mom thoughtfully taught the following object lesson:
"When the carrot boils, its hardness turns to a mushy texture that is unable to even keep together on a fork but falls to pieces as you try to pick it up. It is no longer able to stand up against anything but easily falls apart.
An egg boiled becomes harder and harder, from outside in, until the whole thing is rock solid. Its once protective shell loses its ability to shield it and the whole egg is changed & becomes hard.

Coffee beans, however, are released to "do their job" when boiled. The heat doesn't change them except to allow them to positively affect their environment and become what they were meant to be - a good cup of coffee!!"

Think about it...

The next time trials come your way, will you become a mushy mess of self-pity and "why me"s, a hardened shell that eventually becomes hard and calloused all the way through, or an instrument of change and blessing to those you come in contact with?  Romans 8:28

Quite a lesson!  I knew I loved coffee......