"All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!" ~Lucy Van Pelt from the Peanuts comic by Charles M. Schulz.Chocolate comes in so many varieties that no matter my mood, I can always find something to satisfy a momentary need...
Mmmm...hazelnut milk chocolate for soothing.
Dark chocolate for a great finish to a great evening.
Mint Chocolate Torte creamer in my coffee for a special start to the day.
And then there's Lindor Lindt Truffles....don't mess with my Lindor chocolate! I can't be held responsible for my actions if you snitch my Lindor!!
Really I do share my chocolate most of the time. I wouldn't want to withhold good things from my family. My girls and I like to have girls' night once in a while. The evening consists of chick flicks, favorite soft drinks, Cheez-its, tortilla chips and a variety of toppings, and Mr. Goodbars, M&Ms, Toblerone....
If one of us in having a bad time, my daughters or I will show up with chocolate and sympathy. I've even trained my son well: He takes a variety of chocolate in a pretty bag whenever he is invited to a girl's birthday party. You know, "Train up your son...." It works! His gift is always the favorite.
Chocolate is a mood lifter and we don't we just love it?!?. But it shouldn't ever be a substitute for facing the realities of life.
When my grandson is angry, he tells me "I don't like you, Nana." It would be more hurtful if he weren't hungry, tired, bored, missing his mommy, or just plain misbehaving.
Evidently wisdom comes with age (according to the Bible--the silver twinkling in my hair is indicating a wave of wisdom coming my way! *wink*) and I've developed the ability to see past his words and try to figure out the real reason.
I'm trying to get to the point where I can be sensitive enough to my husband and grown children to get the underlying feelings that cause words to be harsh. Not quite there yet... I still grab the Godiva baking chocolate after an unresolved dispute with my dh. When I come to myself, I try to apologize and share a few bites of the Godiva. (He's been known to come home with a whole bag of chocolate as an apology too. What a man!!!)
As wonderful as chocolate is, it is important to face the real causes behind our problems. Too often, like my grandson, we tend to expect those closest to us to fill our needs and expectations. And too often, like me for my grandson, those needs and expectations go unmet or unsatisfyingly met. We have to acknowledge that God is the only One who will truly never let us down. This is where love is supposed to come into the picture.
If we can get to the point where we love before we speak...perhaps those things which cause disunity in our relationships can be remedied. If we learn to practice selfless love in our homes, we will be better equipped to show love outside our homes.
~~~~I've got a great book called Chocolatherapy" Satisfying the Deepest Cravings of Your Inner Chick by Karen Scalf Linamen. It is funny and so much applies to me that I sometimes feel she was inside my brain when she wrote it. It's on sale for $4.99 at Christianbook.com. Get yourself a copy. You'll love it!~~~
4 comments:
Be blessed sweetie.
Is THAT what that twinkling of silver is in my hair? I knew it had to be something! (I will quit yanking it out.)
I am going to go add that book to my Christian book cart. You and I are kindred spirits... we both share a love for the healing ways of chocolate.
mint chocolate torte creamer = must try this.
...we are in the midst of unwrapping mini York Peppermint Pattys for Shepard-Boy's Birthday. (These are "wheels" for the mini "car" cakes we're making.)
What a perfect analogy for chocoholics (sp??) When the chocolate runs out, there's still comfort!
More great chocolate books:
The chocolate Side of Life
& Chocolate Kisses
both by Cindy Sigler Dagnan
Happy Chocolate!
Ooh, Lindt chocolate = my favourite! :) Your photo makes me crave for strawberries! Happy WFW & have a blessed day!
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