9/18/11

Boiling and Wisdom

The Carrot - The Egg - and The Coffee Bean

This is a story that I read on the Internet. My answer follows.

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. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and 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 do you see?" "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked. "What's the point, mother?" Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity -boiling water- but 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 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, breakup, 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 a 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 to another level? How do you handle adversity?

ARE YOU A CARROT, AN EGG, OR A COFFEE BEAN?


My answer...

I think that this is a great story. I like the point it illustrates. Here are some of my reflections on this. I would like to say that I am always the coffee bean. Unfortunately that is not always the case.

The adversity can come like a Shakespearean tragedy. When to my dismay the study of Shakespeare was forced on me in high school and later in college I found that tragedy (or adversity) has two different origins. One type is caused by living your life in the free will of others. So, if someone near to you .is having a bad day you are caught up in it through no fault of your own. You become stuck in the enactment of that person's God given free will. When the person is having a good day we bask in the shared sunshine. When the day is not good we are under the same cloud as the other person as well. And our life can be affected by the person in ways that are good and in ways that are not so good. The other kind of tragedy/adversity is caused by our own lack of judgment. What happens in this case is the result of our own exercise or free will and bad choices.

Whatever the cause of our trials and adversity and whatever kind it is we will react and hopefully learn and grow. As I said I would like to think that I am always like the coffee bean. The reality is that - for me anyway - my reactions are usually a combination of all three - the carrot, the egg, and the coffee bean. Adversity stretches us to the limit in many cases, and we end up so many times like a "Push Me-Pull You." However, I do not think it is bad to react in any one of the ways listed. We are a combination of many emotions, hurts, loves, experiences, and desires, and these are molded by what we learn. Unfortunately, it seems as though we do not pay adequate attention unless we are dealing with difficult situations. This is how we learn. The Lord uses these times when our attention is at full strength to show us things that we would otherwise miss. I feel that each reaction can be appropriate depending on the situation. We are each - the carrot - the egg - and the coffee bean - depending on what the boiling is about.

For instance, we can be in a situation because we have been too dense (hard like a carrot - and my hair is red... ..) to see what it is about or to get the lesson. It can be either of the Shakespearean types of adversity. However, because of hardness we have been unable to see the truth we need, and the boiling softens us enough to be able to receive the learning the Lord is trying to teach. As we become softer, we can see and receive the input He is giving us. At other times we are an egg - seeming hard to outward appearances - but inside a mush of emotions and being pulled as strongly as the moon affects the tides. We look as though we have it all together, but inside we are a mess. We are so scattered and affected by our upset or emotions that we cannot even really know what we think or what is right. In this type of boiling the Lord helps us to toughen up and take control of our emotions. In our new less fluid state we can receive the lesson and arrive at a conclusion. The danger for the carrot or the egg is that we can go too far in the opposite direction, and when we do we are as lost as when we started.

Then there is the coffee bean. Thank God for the morning that my husband gives me every day. It is my start to the day. The idea in the situation we are discussing is to be like the coffee bean. To be boiled by the adversity in such a way that we quickly grow into an understanding of the lesson. We change so much ourselves that when we do the world is also changed. I think that most people strive for this. When we achieve it we become very wise, and that wisdom affects all around us. However, I do believe that as we grow towards the wisdom and understanding that enables us to be that coffee bean the Lord gives us many carrot and egg experiences along the way. Very few are like Solomon who seems to have arrived at the coffee bean stage without the other type of boilings.

God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.

1KI 4:29-30

Maybe we see Solomon when all the boiling had already been accomplished - kind of like the overnight star who rose to fame after parking cars for twelve years before being discovered. Maybe Solomon had been parking chariots for his dad, David, and going through the refining boil for a great part of his life too. When we do meet Solomon he has the presence of mind to ask the Lord for wisdom. He does not ask for riches or fame. Maybe he had had his own boiling experiences as a carrot and as an egg. When he pens the book of Proverbs he has arrived at the coffee bean stage. He has wisdom, and he can change the world. And as he does this he also enjoys riches and fame as well. This gives me hope that I will someday be able to reach a stage where adversity turns me into a coffee bean, and that I can then start to change the world. I do think that this ability comes and goes as we grow and I thank God for His unending work in me through the boiling. Hopefully, as I continue to boil I will remember to ask God to give me wisdom - not to just give me a quick fix to the specific cause of my boiling.

Please read Proverbs 2:1-15

Blessings
Corinne

9/12/11

Yes, God was there!




I am adding this link because it shows the presence of God even in the midst of the horror of 9/11/01. On faith we know he is always with us but it is so powerful when we see visible evidence of His loving presence.

http://www.september11news.com/Mysteries1.htm

9/10/11

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL' ...GOD WAS THERE

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said. 'Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan . I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.

Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name - though not all knew Me. Some met Me on the 86th floor. Some sought Me with their last breath. ome couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you will be 'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.
God

9/8/11

GOD


More Than A Friend

I am your friend
on a beautiful journey
our friendship like a small vessel
carries us over the waves of our caring
our many roles to each other
reverse as the tides
kindred as
sibling - teacher - helper - parent - friend
but we know we are so very much more
precious pilgrimage of our hearts





Meeting A Friend

Days and weeks and years have passed
And you have become so dear
I wait and wait till we can meet
We do and I’m filled with cheer.

We laugh and play like little children
And do what we desire
It’s so much fun to be with you
That is something I require.

But best of all is what I see
And feel whenever you’re around
Is how blessed I am to have a friend
In whom I see godliness abound

And I know that God has given me
A friend as great as you
To have and love and be free with
A gift of God so true.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Ultimate Friend

Thinking of what friendship is
What I hold to my heart
Qualities that I look for

Truthfulness,
Caring
Dependability
Help
Patience
Steadfastness
Sweetness
Humor
Affability
Goodness
Love
Just
Compassionate
Faithful

Many on the list
are found in my dearest friends

Truthfulness
to say what I need to hear

Caring
enough to do just that

Dependable
knowing I can call them any time

Help
when ever I am needing it

Patience
with my many flaws

Steadfastness
to beliefs of right and wrong

Sweetness
that touches my heart with joy

Humor
which I can count on for a giggle

Affability
that shows me I am a friend

Goodness
seen in how they treat me and others

Love
of others seen in their good works

Just
and fair in thought and word and deed

Compassionate
enough to help those in need

and

Faithfulness
even when I don’t deserve it

I can think of so many friends
Who possess so many of these qualities
I have been blessed in those who I can call
My friend.

But the very best Friend of all
The One who is never far from me
Possesses all of these and more

Omnipresent
Omnipotent
Eternal
Breath of life
Lover of my soul
Keeper of my heart
Protector of my life
Spring of living water
Endless peace of mind
My point of light

Abbah, Father, Daddy
Perfect, ultimate Friend forever.
My God!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friend for Life

Faithful to my every need
Righteous and dependable
Inability to ever cause me harm
Eternal so I never am alone
Naturally for me not against
Dependable beyond my greatest need

GOD

©Corinne H. Mustafa



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

9/6/11

WOMB OF GOD

WOMB OF GOD

Beach…Trinidad, California
Corinne Mustafa - December 31, 2000


Walking on the beach in the crystal of a winter sun
Ending 2000 where, for me, it had begun
In Northern California
So quiet and peaceful to enjoy.
I look at the masterpiece before me and
An interesting thought occurs ---
My God must have a million point IQ!
A novel thought - I think, and so will you.
But contemplate on it a bit with me.
As I tour you through
The womb of God.

For who can know the mind of God -
Yhe how and why of things we see each day
And take for granted without even asking why?
How could any mind conceive
The wonders that I’m so enjoying here.
How can it all work together following rules
What no man could formulate or orchestrate
The Genius of the universe devised.
(Eat your heart out you Einsteins of the past)
Not even a million IQ - more like infinite.

But today for some reason the cold, sparkling beauty of this beach
Gives me pause and takes my breath away.
Could it be the unaccustomed chill of a winter day
Not usually associated with a beach?
Where I am usually found in summer’s warmth
Not knowing winter warmth in cold coexists.

Crashing waves.
A faint echo of the roar heard
When the creation of the Universe occurred.
The splendor of God’s boutique shown in full array
Watercolors could be painted on a paper bright-
Blue, turquoise, white, charcoal, and dark olive
moving and catching the light.
Haze hanging low over the cool, unconcerned ocean horizon
Turning azure sky to powder blue out there.
Forming an enclosure to hold it all and me.
The womb of God.
Delicate wind.
Is that the wind gently blowing on my face
Hardly a curl disturbed and still I feel
The coolness blow across my brow -
Could it be the breath of God?

Gritty sand.
Wet from the receding foamy tide.
Some polished and puddled with naught to mar its face.
Some with loss of its pristine plane
Where I spy footprints in the sands of time
Reflecting visitors in this holy place.
Shoe soles plain or boasting of their swirling treads
One set of prints calls to mind the British flag
Have carved a path and some,
In spite of winter chill
Have passed with bare feet to taste the salt and sand.
And paw prints running side by side to shoes
Show others who have come.
I see two of “man’s best friends”
Cavorting, jumping, barking in play
Another braving the freezing waves to get her master’s stick
All part of the ongoing creation
In the womb of God.

Resplendent rocks.
How did you arrive to delight me here?
Silent sentinels
Ancient slides of the land to the sea
Or picked up by mighty waves and dragged to dot the shore.
Or in the ball game of creation I imagine....
Father, did you toss them here?
To add a myriad of colors and shapes
Breathtaking and pleasing to the eye
One particular striated with mottled jade
Fading into a charcoal base
As if two separate pieces conjoined
With its small companion at one side
Contrasting with shades of plumy grays.
Shapeless elephantine hulks
It giving hint of ancient objects long gone
Petrified shapes.
One a Christmas tree with flocked and drooping branches
One huge boulder with two smaller sidekicks
Could be an ancient giant toad
Frozen there before it could ever leap.
And in the tide
Come in little sister stones - tangerine size
Swimming relentlessly towards the beach
Three steps forward two steps back
Pushed in - pulled out by the endless tide.
One by one they finally arrive to shore.
Players in the drama unfolding
In the womb of God.

Aloof island.
Detached about a hundred yards from shore
Do you think yourself better than your land bound cousins
Rock root pounded by the perpetual surf
Keeping guard over your beach
A crew cut crown of evergreens
Reach to heaven and give nest to gulls
Has human foot trod on your granite crag
Or just spied you from the beach
Another puzzle piece of this coastal room
In the womb of God.

And as I stop here looking out to sea
Telling myself that to me
The ocean is the MOST beautiful
Of God’s created beauty.
When other remembered sights
Come to flood my mind
As surely as the waves of this tide coming in.
My mind’s eye sees places, people, and times
Whose memories delight me as they pass:
A spring poppy blazing orange against grass and rocks,
First sight of Yosemite at that vista point,
Cades Cove, the Smokies’ lap of green,
The White Mountains home of New Hampshire’s Old Man,
A dessert garden as spring flower explosions appear,
My husband waiting at the altar - two becoming one
Later years enjoying memories shared,
The sight of my newborn babies - later a grandson,
The smile of a friend when first we meet,
And looking to
Many more untasted treats to come.
How do you choose what is most beautiful
In the womb of God.

And so I stand on my personal, chosen bastion
Cold and hard beneath my feet.
Gazing out on today’s particular view
Thankful for the gift it gives to me
I cannot do much but sing my song
Calling IT the most beautiful
But knowing that there are many sights yet to see
So many experiences left which will delight
As life goes on its daily trek
Just standing in awe and thankfulness
For all that comes from His unbounded IQ
The miracles that continue to unfold
In the womb of God.