Sweet Bean

Opening a bag of coffee beans, Kim accidentally ripped it, spilling dozens of beans onto the counter. She left them where they fell, and scooped others into her grinder. She disliked grinding beans. The electro-magnetic vibration was always uncomfortable in her hands, but she relished the flavor of freshly-ground morning coffee. It was a nightly dilemma. Kim shook the grinder lightly as the blades whirled invisibly. “What’s it like to be a bean,” she thought, “roasted in fire, poured into an airless bag, ground in a grinder, dumped into a filter, and forgotten until morning — and then disposable.” Kim felt disposable.

The next morning, Kim poured her first cup, spooned in sugar, poured in milk, and sipped deliciously. All of a sudden, she felt a flash, a distillation of experience, an insight, and she realized she was truly okay because her essence was intact. She finally understood that her suffering had filtered her to a point of strength and joy.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, life contains suffering, but don’t let it embitter us. Instead, let our distress strain us and temper us into persons capable of a finer joy. Amen.

Today’s Thought Is: When the bean is bitter, add sugar.

Source:
Job 30:16 NIV
"And now my life ebbs away; days of suffering grip me.
Job 8:21 NIV
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.