Today’s Box of Chocolates

My musing is late today. I’ve had a succession of conversations, good and bad news, trivial inconsequential stuff, difficult situations and life changing events. Some I’m still processing…

I return to Forrest Gump: ‘My momma always said, ‘Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.’

Life was like a box of chocolates: Chocolates, like people and life’s experiences, come in different shapes, sizes, flavours and textures; some are sweet, some are nuts, some are consistent, some are smooth, some are full of alcohol, some have an attractive wrapper but are disappointing inside…

This morning’s conversations have been about physical health, mental ill-health, death, addictions, anxieties about exams, children, friends, employment… In our family there has been a birthday and a hospital admission. It feels like I’ve had the full box of chocolates in one morning!

You never know what you’re gonna get: I’ve been confronted again by the total randomness of life. You’re wearing a blindfold as you choose your chocolate. You really don’t know which is the chocolate for today…

When I discover that today’s chocolate is one of my favourites that’s great – I enjoy it. When today’s chocolate is one I really don’t like and don’t want I would rather put it back…. but I’m compelled to eat it. I feel I’ll be sick.

Momma always said: Forrest had to make sense of a difficult, confusing world of war, work, love and death; he returned to his reference point – his momma.

When anxious about the unpleasant chocolate I have to eat today or I’m the one I may pull out tomorrow I return to my reference point – my faith.

Jesus didn’t talk about chocolate, but he did say, ‘Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.’ And I need to return to the one who can give me rest, whatever today’s chocolate is like.