Hope & Hot Water

Are you done yet?

Hope Matters

There’s a popular quote floating around the internet that states, “The same boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg.” Now, I don’t know who initially said/wrote this. However, it got me thinking. Water at extremely high temperatures isn’t only used for potatoes and eggs. So, I made a list.

• coffee

• tea

• collard greens with smoked turkey 🤤

• broccoli

• eggs

• potatoes

This list could go on, but these are my top choices.

Each of these has different properties that make them desirable or undesirable for whomever is consuming them. They also require the water to heat to varying temperatures for different lengths of time. This sparked two questions for me:

What am I made of?

AND

How long do I need to be in this hot water? 😆

Each of us was designed to be unique in our character, abilities, mannerisms…yet another list that could go on. Some of us were made to stay in the hot water longer; some, not long at all. While preparing foods, we can overcook or undercook them. The same is true for coffee and tea and their respective immersion times.

Sometimes, in our haste to get out of hot water or our circumstances, we get out of the pot prematurely. In other instances, we stay in too long. In either case, we’re deciding to ruin what God wants to perfect. You might be broccoli, and I might be coffee. 😏 If we sit in the same amount of water for the same period of time, one of us will be ruined, while the other will be prepared to perfection.

Hope Buddies, each of us has our set time for our set of circumstances. What we must stop doing is looking at others, whose circumstances are similar to our own, and deciding to mimic what they’re doing or judging when it’s time for us to get out. What you’re made of is different from the other person, and one of you might need to stay in a little longer or be taken out of the water a little sooner in order to “taste” just right.

Here we go…

Reflection

Think about you for a few minutes. What kind of “stuff” are you made of? Do you have a tendency to run from your circumstances? Do you stay in them longer than necessary? Are you learning or wallowing?

As you dig into these questions, prepare to be uncomfortable. It’s okay. Discomfort can bring clarity and cause you to refocus and repurpose.

Challenge

When you’re in hot water, stop looking at other people. What works for them might not work for you. Focus more intently on yourself and what you should be learning from your particular situation. Focus on what you’re made of to carry you through the situation. Listen intently for the voice of God in your life during these times. He’ll tell you when it’s time to get out.

Hope in staying in hot water and getting out when it’s time. ☕️

Are you done yet? 😉

Coffee Matters

More about Black Coffee Atlanta

Ethiopian Shakiso

What are you hoping and sipping this week?

I appreciate you taking the time to read this hopeletter about my life and coffee. Please share with a friend who could use a little hope or coffee recommendation.