Life Is Like a Box of Chocolates
Debby DeStefano
“Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”
Proverbs 27:1
As Valentine’s Day approaches, our minds run to red roses, gifts, and chocolate. At least my mind always starts and ends up with chocolate. In every drug store this week, the aisles are loaded with chocolate of every kind. As I was drooling (I mean thinking) about the chocolate, the movie with Forrest Gump came to mind and that famous line that he spoke,
"Life is like a box of chocolates...you never know what you're gonna get." As I thought about those profound words, I was reminded of Proverbs 27:1 above.
“If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”
1 Peter 2:3
Each day when we wake up it is like taking a chocolate out of the box and biting into it. We never know by looking at the outside what is in the inside. At first glance they all look the same. Just chocolate. However, as soon as we bite into it, we know right away if we are going to like it or
not. My favorite is the caramel one. I love the “caramel days” when everything goes smoothly and as planned. Most of the time those days are few and far between. Some days we pull out a chocolate with a filling that we don’t care for, and those days don’t quite measure up to what that chocolate looked like on the outside. Our days and our lives are so uncertain and the sooner we learn to trust the Lord no matter what the outcome, the sooner we will grow both in strength and faith.
“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
James 4:14
Even on those days when we take a bite into that chocolate and discover it is not our favorite; God has a plan. If we had our choice or way we would only bite into the chocolates that we know have a filling that we like. (Have you ever opened a box of chocolates, and it is evident that someone has already been there? Bites out of every chocolate as they were testing. Ugh!) So many times, God teaches us new things by broadening our “taste buds.” My husband is a prime example of this. He makes up his mind before he even tastes something that he doesn’t like it. On occasion I have forced him to try something that he ordinarily wouldn’t touch and much to his surprise he actually
likes it. So many good things he misses out on because he won’t try it.
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Psalm 119:103
How many blessings have we missed out on because we were unwilling to trust God enough to step forward and experience His goodness? If we never stepped out or allowed God to stretch our faith, we would miss the lessons He wants to teach us, and we might even discover more
often than not, that the choices He makes for us are far better and sweeter than our own for He knows the end from the beginning and His way is always best.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28
We can learn so much when we yield to His leading and yes, we may still not like His choice of chocolate for us for that day but know that He is teaching us and He is stretching us and molding us into His image. So don’t be afraid to take a bite into that chocolate. Taste it knowing that God is in control.
“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”
Psalms 34:8
About the Author
Debby, the daughter of our church founder, has dedicated her life to serving God at Fairwinds Baptist Church. Now a retired pastor's wife, she continues to inspire us with uplifting devotionals, choosing joy despite her health struggles. Her unwavering faith enriches our community and reflects our mission to know God through Jesus Christ.
