Just A Thought Or Two . . .

It Is Time for Christians to “Change the Water”

Talk to five people and there are five different situations.  There are so many people experiencing health concerns, financial difficulties, and imploding relationships.  We are living during challenging times.  People have worries.

Families will gather this Thursday to celebrate Thanksgiving.  Yes, there have been many blessings amid the financial concerns, illnesses, and violence across the globe.  We cannot be sidetracked by all the difficult situations.  Thanksgiving calls us to gratitude and grace.  Thanksgiving calls us to prayer and praise.  Thanksgiving calls us to faith and hope.

As the story goes, a young woman was complaining to her father about her stressful life.  She’d just resolve one problem when another one appeared on the horizon.  She was tired of the struggle and ready to just give up.

Her father was preparing dinner.  He sighed and took three pots out of the cupboard.  He filled the pots with water and waited for each to come to a boil.  In one pot he placed carrots, in another eggs, and in the last pot he placed ground coffee beans.  He let them boil and turned off the burners.  He took the carrots and eggs and placed them in a bowl.  He poured the coffee into a mug.

The father said, “Daughter, what do you see?”  Rolling her eyes his daughter answered, “Carrots, eggs, and coffee.”  He took the carrots and showed her how tender they had become.  He took the eggs and showed her the hard boiled yolk.  He handed her the mug of coffee and she tasted its rich flavor.  She looked at her father and asked, “What does this all mean?”

Her father gently explained.  “The carrots, eggs, and coffee beans had all faced the same adversity – boiling water.  The carrots were strong and sturdy but when they faced the boiled water, they became soft.  The eggs had been fragile but when they faced the boiling water, the insides became hardened.  The coffee beans were different.  When the coffee beans were in the boiling water, they changed the water.”

The father looked lovingly at his daughter.  “Now my first born, when struggles knock on your door, how will you respond?  Will you be a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?”

This weekend we begin a new liturgical year with the First Sunday of Advent.  During these Advent days may we, like the coffee bean, flavor our world of challenges with patience, generosity, and compassion.  As we prepare for the birthday celebration of Jesus Christ and His Second Coming at the end of time, may each of us gratefully realize that with Jesus, we have the power to change the world.

Thanksgiving Blessings to all.

Please Worship with Us at Our Advent Liturgy Service: December 4th at 1:05 p.m.  Hosted by Grade 2, at All Saints Catholic Church.