There is a story about a mother that wanted to teach her small child a lesson about the impact we have on those around us. She took a pot of water and brought it to boil on the stove. When the water was ready, she placed carrots, eggs and coffee beans in the water to boil. In about 20 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 into a mug. Turning to her daughter, she asked, “What do you see?” “Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” the daughter replied.

The mother brought her daughter closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they had gotten soft. The mother 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 it and smelled 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 in the boiling water, its insides became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique. After they were steeped in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

Each day we are given a choice aren’t we? We are going to be placed into situations where the culture, temperature and pressure will feel like more then we can handle. Yet I am convinced that we have choices. We can soften, become fragile, become hardened on the inside, or change the world around us. Surely we can change….

Where there is pain
Let there be grace
Where there is suffering
Bring serenity
For those afraid
Help them be brave
Where there is misery
Bring expectancy
And surely we can change
Surely we can change
Something

“Surely we can change” by David Crowder Band from the CD “Remedy”