A group of graduates, well established in their careers,

were discussing their lives at a class reunion.

They decided to go visit their old university professor,

now retired, who was always an inspiration to

them. During their visit, the conversation turned to

complaints about stress in their work, lives and relationships.

During this time, the professor went into the kitchen

and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and

an assortment of cups. Some of them were made of

porcelain, glass or crystal; some were plain looking

while others were expensive. He instructed all

to help themselves to the hot chocolate. When they

all had a cup in hand, the professor shared his

thoughts.

“Notice that all the nice looking expensive cups

were taken. You have left behind the plain and

cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only

the best for yourselves, that is the source of your

problems and stress. The cup that you are drinking

from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate.

In most cases, it is just more expensive and in

some cases, even hides what we drink. What each

of you wanted was hot chocolate. You did not want

the cup … but you consciously went for the best

cups. And soon, you began to eye one another’s

cups.”

The professor continued, “Now, friends, please

consider this: Life is the hot chocolate … your

jobs, money and positions are the cups. They are

just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you

have does not define, not does it change, the quality

of life you are living. Sometimes, by concentrating

only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate

that God has provided us. Always remember this:

God brews the hot chocolate; he does not choose

the cup. The happiest people don’t have the best of

everything. They just make the best of everything

they have.”

Life simply ~ Love generously ~ Care deeply ~

Speak kindly ~ then, leave the rest to God. Jesus is

our Good Shepherd. Because of Him, we shall not