April 20, 2024
Very early Sunday morning, I burned the hot chocolate. Two cups of sugar, one cup of cocoa, four dashes of salt, one cup of water, and three teaspoons of vanilla came to a boil and before I knew it, began to smoke. Burnt cocoa is the worst. The stench filled the kitchen. I opened the window to clear the air, then ran to fan the smoke alarm lest it wake my beloved who was still sleeping.
For almost a decade, we have had the privilege to take homemade hot cocoa and coffee to share with the girls at the jail during Bible study. Originally, it was my idea. I love a good cup of java while I’m reading the Bible. I knew the coffee the women had during incarceration was in little pouches like tea bags. I thought if we took real brewed coffee and homemade cocoa, we could woo the girls to Jesus through warm beverages and God’s Word. Deep in my heart, I just knew they would be so moved that they would all want to give their hearts and lives to Christ.
The ladies on our ministry team were tireless and faithful. They poured drinks each time like they were getting paid for it, never once complaining. I realized when we were locked out of the jail during COVID that I had been trying to play the part of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit does the drawing, the wooing. I learned that God’s Word is enough, period.
When the jailer notified me that we would be able to go back into the jail after over two years of COVID restrictions, I was overjoyed. Having learned my “coffee and cocoa don’t woo people to Jesus” lesson, I told him we wouldn’t take anything in except the Bible. Much to my surprise, he encouraged me to bring cocoa, coffee, and even donuts. I was over the moon!
So last Sunday, in my hot beverage prep for Bible study, I had stirred the sugar, cocoa, salt, water, and vanilla together over medium high heat. It was to boil two minutes before adding the gallon of milk. But I was distracted with making coffee and packing the bag. When I smelled the burned chocolate mix, I rushed to the stove. It was too late to save it. The dark mixture had hardened in the bottom of the pan. After years and years of making the stuff, I had never once burned the cocoa base. I wondered what to do.
And then I knew: a “do over.” Though the bad smell still hung in the air, I couldn’t help smiling. It was a perfect message from the mess.
I put the burned cocoa pot in the sink and started again. Just like God does with us. Just like He can do with ANYONE. I measured new ingredients: two new cups of sugar, one new cup of cocoa, new salt, water, and vanilla. And I began again.
The Bible reveals many true stories of do-overs. Jonah is one, David is another, even Samson. They were real people who messed up but God gave them a second chance. A favorite example of a do-over is the prodigal son found in Luke 15. In the pig lot, having wasted all of his money, he came to his senses and decided to return home. He practiced all he would say when he got there. He hadn’t anticipated that his father would be waiting. “While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him,” (Luke 15:20).
When we mess up – and boy, oh, we will – God is there, waiting. He forgives us when we ask and then we begin again. Wiser this time. And we will tell others the story.
On Sunday morning, a bit later, I told the girls at the jail about the burned cocoa. We pray they will allow God to give them a do-over, too.
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Dawn Reed is a pastor's wife and newspaper columnist. Reach her at preacherswife7@yahoo.com.
