Yet you, LORD, are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand.
Isaiah 64:8 (New International Version)
I love this verse. Over the past year God has been molding and shaping me. He is the potter. He has provided a way for me to follow my dream and go to culinary school. I like the sweet side of the industry.
I got to thinking of chocolate, I can think about chocolate a lot.
In the same way He is the potter and we are the clay, well just follow along….
Have you ever looked at a handmade, lovely chocolate confection? I mean really looked, before you even get it close enough to smell and then that first luscious taste.
Chocolate is beautiful to look at.
It has color, texture and shine.
It is said we eat with our eyes first. Chocolate is a perfect example.
The best, highest quality chocolate is chocolate very high in cocoa butter, called Couverture Chocolate. Most commercial candy bars and chocolates have had most cocoa butter removed and replaced with vegetable oil. The vegetable makes it more stable and easier to work with.
And it tastes OK, but, it just cannot compare to the good stuff.
Couverture Chocolate is difficult to work with, a little unstable, but well worth the trouble.
When a chocolatier starts to create a confection, he has to melt the chocolate. That, of course, takes heat.
The heat causes a reaction in the chocolate. It looses its temper.
Wow, does that sound familiar?
If allowed to just cool on its own, without tempering, it looses its shine, will have dull gray streaks and will be mushy instead of crisp.
The chocolatier, now, so his confections have beauty and shine, must bring the chocolate back into temper.
Slowly he brings the temperature down. Then at just the perfect time, the chocolate must be agitated, stirred. Then very gently he lowers the temperature a little more. Once he reaches right temperature the chocolate is again in temper.
Wait now, the chocolatier needs to bring the temperature back up, just a bit, so he can work with the chocolate.
Now he can dip yummy truffles or jellies in the chocolate, pour it into molds and create those beautiful and shiny confections that only he could see in a formless lump of chocolate.
It takes a firm but gentle hand, patience, to create these lovely treats.
A loving hand.
The chocolatier loves chocolate.
I have been working with chocolate for about a year now, it dawned on me a couple of days ago how very much this process for tempering chocolate is like the process God is using to mold me into a beautiful and shiny woman.
When the pressure is on, the heat goes up. I lose my temper.
He goes to work, sometimes He brings the heat down, sometimes He agitates, and sometimes He takes the heat up again.
At just the right time. The perfect time.
What ever it takes to mold me into that woman only He can see in a formless lump of chocolate.
A woman He can use to His glory.
His firm but gentle hand is working in my life.
I know I’m difficult and a little unstable. I believe He thinks I’m worth it.
You’re worth it too.
When the heat is on, when there’s nothing but agitation.
When times are good and all of a sudden the heat comes back, Just remember…
The Chocolatier Loves Chocolate.
Caryn Poling , 4 Disposable Women
Leave a Comment
Betty Draper says
Beautiful illustration God has given you through chocolate.. I will never eat it again without thinking of this. Have a few chocolate lovers that I want to read your article. Thanks for seeing God in all you do…only a pure mind does that, a mind set on God.
Caryn Poling says
Betty, I am so happy you enjoyed this, you comment are a blessing to me. Thank you.
Brittnie says
This metaphor speaks volumes to me & is so well written. God knows just what each of His children need at each point in life. It is so easy to question His plan, timing and motivation especially when we are feel that the heat is on high & we are being tempered beyond control. What you so beautifully reminded us is that regardless of the heat waves that come and go, God never stops loving us and His plan for our lives is beyond perfect. I so needed this reminder today. 🙂
Caryn Poling says
Amen, Brittnie, Yes He loves us so much and His plan is perfect. Jeremiah 29:11 is the verse I stand on. Thank you for leaving a comment, I pray your day is blessed.
Donna says
Caryn, this is great! I enjoyed reading it and the visual pictures you painted really brought the lesson home. It was a true “treat” to read. (I couldn’t resist.) What a wonderful way you’ve used your love for writing and your passion for sweets to teach an important truth. Way to go!
Caryn Poling says
Thank you Donna, your comment is a true “treat” to my heart.
I Live in an Antbed says
Now, that’s my kind of lesson: yumminess and Truth! 🙂
Caryn Poling says
Amen to that!!!! 🙂
Karen says
Oh, I needed to read this today!! Gave me chills! Thanks for sharing. God is turning up the heat in my life right now, but I have peace the ‘Chocolatier’ knows what He’s creating! I won’t question the process, I’ll just look forward to the end result and sharing His wonderful truffles with others!
Caryn Poling says
Thank you for sharing Karen. I am in a “cooling process” now and I can tell you that it is a little easier to see a little clearer. I know when the heat is on is when we really have to trust. God Bless you, you are in my prayers.
Caryn Poling says
I have to say, what a blessing all of your comments have been to me. I was a little nervous knowing this was being posted today. I have never submitted anything I have written and was very, very surprised when I got the email that (in)courage wanted to post this. Thank you beautiful ladies, my heart is full. <3
Wrenn Roberts says
Well written and very inspiring! Rest… knowing you are in a “cooling” phase but that you have encouraged many of us in the midst of tempering!
Caryn Poling says
Thank you Wrenn for your sweet words.
Gloria Aguayo says
Caryn- What an inspired thought, that God tempers us to mold us into the spiritual beings He knows we have it in us to be! God bless you- you are an inspiration to me!
Gloria
Caryn says
Thank you Gloria, it is a blessing having you in the family.
Ginger says
Love how you paired this lesson with chocolate. What a great way to bring this home for all women. This was a blessing to me.
Thanks for sharing.
Ginger
Caryn Poling says
Thank you, Ginger.
Tiffany says
I love this Caryn!
Now I want some chocolate. Time to practice the spirit of self-control hehe.
luv,
cuz tiff
Caryn says
lol thanks cuz
Julie says
Now I’m hungry for chocolate!!! Great comparison 🙂
Caryn says
Thank you Julie, enjoy your chocolate 🙂