Sugar and Chokecherries –
A Parable of Hope
In the foothills of the
Rocky Mountains and in other places in the U.S. there is a wild bush with small
berries. Its seeds, leaves and stems contain dangerous levels of poisonous
cyanide. The berries are small and have a large seed. They contain a bitter
astringent which makes them unpalatable. These berries are appropriately called
chokecherries.
However, if one takes the
juice from the berries, cooks it, and adds sugar, it makes a syrup that has an
earthy, fruity taste.
Growing up, it was a special treat for us
when we could have chokecherry syrup on our pancakes.
One of my earliest
memories is of our family going into the foothills of Idaho to pick
chokecherries. As a little boy, I wanted to taste one of these berries we were
picking. They tasted awful!
It was difficult for my
young mind to understand how something so awful could turn into something so
delicious.
Many of us have had
difficult experiences. Some have had terrible, life changing experiences - Illness,
heartache, the loss of a job, the loss of a loved one, etc
Overcoming those
experiences can be difficult and challenging.
Sometimes, it’s a process that makes things better – a program, getting help or a life change. Other times it’s just patience. Enduring and muddling through day by day, doing the best we can.
Here are a few things we can add to our lives to help us continue to move forward:
Sometimes, it’s a process that makes things better – a program, getting help or a life change. Other times it’s just patience. Enduring and muddling through day by day, doing the best we can.
Here are a few things we can add to our lives to help us continue to move forward:
Being grateful –
Thanksgiving reminds us to remember the good, count our blessings and express
gratitude. Often, an attitude of gratefulness reminds us of the simple good
fortunes that are ours – sometimes it is simply gratitude for life itself.
Friends and Family –
Surrounding ourselves with those we love and who love us helps brings happiness
and solace to our spirit. Others can lift and support us in ways that we just
can’t do by ourselves.
Patience – Recognize that
time does heal. Sometimes is it difficult to see the light at the end of the
tunnel but give it time. Things change. Be patient with yourself, your life and
with others.
Muddle through – There
are times when nothing seems to help and it is all you can do to put one foot
in front of the other. Keep going. Muddle through. Keep rowing when that is all
you can do, and you will make progress.
My thought is one of
hope. If we are fortunate, these difficulties and challenges do not have to
remain with us as discouragement, bitterness and never ending remorse.
We can endure the bitter
by adding the sugar that comes from gratitude, family and friends, patience and
pushing forward.