I heard a story from one of my mentors, Kelly McCausey about cocoa. I want to share it here but I am going to tell it in my own little way.

Do you like cocoa?

I do. I love it with marshmallows and extra chocolate. I like my cocoa rich. Watered down cocoa does nothing for me.

There are some people who are funny about the cup they put the cocoa in. They want a certain cup that looks a certain way. For some that cup has to be “top of the line”. It’s as if the cup makes the cocoa. Really it’s the other way around. The cocoa makes the cup.

Now imagine that the cocoa is your life. What kind of cup would you want it in? Does it really matter? Remember the cocoa is your life. Isn’t that what you want to focus on?

The cup represents the stuff on the outside while the cocoa represents you and your life. Too many times we focus on the cup and use low grade cocoa.

That was really an eye opener for me and very inspiring. It was God confirming that I am on the right track and to keep at it.

My life is meant to be rich and will be as long as I seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. When I do that the cups will be added unto me. But my cocoa will be so rich that all those cups won’t make a difference.

This analogy of the cocoa to your life reminded me that where I am is a good place. I am satisfied with my crooked cup with the dents. Doesn’t mean I will be this way forever, it just means that like Paul, I have learned to be content in whatever position I am in.

I have had nothing. There was a time that all I had to feed my oldest son was hot dogs and eggs. Today it’s beans and rice plus a little bit more. That was one cup.

I have had something to. There was a time when I could bring dinner home on almost a daily basis if I wanted and go into a grocery store and not have to count my pennies. This was another cup.

I know that I cannot worry about what people think about me or what they say. Sometimes we base our lives on those type of cups in exchange for weak tasting cocoa.

Really what’s the benefit.

I had to tell myself the Gifts, talents, and skills that God has given me are not to be taken lightly by me and not to be concerned with the way others take it because it is no them that I play to. I play to an audience of One and even those that look down on me in one way of the other will one day have to bow on bended knees to Him who sees it all.

He reminded me through Kelly that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. There is no way I need to quench who He made me to be. God gave me the richness of my cocoa for reason.

I am LaTara Ham-Ying, one of God’s Chosen and you know what.. I LOVE ME! But most of all I LOVE MY LORD!

I am thankful to God for sending me that reminder through Kelly Mc Causey and when I talked to her I let her know so. You see I believe in giving people their flowers while they are alive because when they are dead how can they smell or appreciate the beauty?

I have had many cups for my cocoa but the taste of my cocoa has only become richer whether the cup was ugly or cute, my cocoa still had a sweet rich flavor with the aroma to match.

How’s your cocoa?