By Fr. Bel R. San Luis, SVD
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.
* * *
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots started 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 do 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?
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 soft heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a break-up, 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, like when there’s economic problem, you’d rather find remedies instead of getting rigid and bitter or grumbling and complaining.
* * *
How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just MAKE the most of everything that comes along their way.
Be a coffee bean and have faith in the Lord.
* * *
THE LIGHTER SIDE. "This morning I woke up feeling so bad that I tried to end it all by taking a thousand aspirins," said John.
"Oh, really, what happened?" inquired Steve, concerned.
"After the first two, I felt better," replied John. "So I didn’t continue."
* * *
Can’t Wait Longer. Because they had no reservations at a busy restaurant, an elderly man and his wife were told there would be a 45-minute wait for a table. "Young man, we’re both 90 years old," the husband said. "We may not have 45 minutes left."
They were seated immediately.
* * *
A successful diet is the triumph of mind over platter... Be positive. A pessimist’s blood type is always B-negative.
* * *
GOD BLESS...the following magnanimous donors who responded to my appeal for financial help for Jobert Buenaventura, 15-year-old boy, who was orphaned when all his family members died successively last 2007: William Tomaliwan, Flexo Manufacturing Inc.; Henry-Juliana Gamilla; Atty. Enrique ArGuelles, Iloilo; Dr. Segundo Lansang; Arsenio Vistro, Las Piñas; Jane Doe, Las Piñas; Jojo-Pat Dipasupil, Baguio City; Atty. Rene Sarmiento; Anonymous.
* * *
I’ve set up a trust fund for Jobert’s daily expenses and schooling. Others who wish to share an amount may send it payable to me, Fr. Bel San Luis, SVD with address: Christ the King Seminary, 1101 E. Rodriguez Blvd., 1099 Quezon City.
For inquiries, write to: belsvd@yahoo.com.
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