I was happily munching on my salad, that is, until the waitress brought Mary B her dinner. She had ordered steak and Colossal Shrimp. I am not ordinarily much of a shrimp eater; I’d much rather have lobster. But these shrimp were no ordinary fare. They were so big and succulent that they were bulging out of their skin, looking more like mini lobsters.
My mouth started to water, as I watched Mary B drizzle butter over her luscious white and pink catch. Then my eyes followed as she plopped each colossal morsel into her mouth. Finally I pried my eyes away reminding myself that I wasn’t at home watching Emeril Live. Fortunately, no one seemed to have noticed my momentary lapse of table manners.
I then reluctantly turned my attention back to my salad, only to have pictures of shrimp swimming in my head. And that’s when it hit me; shrimp are often referred to as bottom feeders because they feed on the plant and animal materials that have settled to the bottom of the ocean. Even though their primary source of food is often plant material and blue-green algae, they are still given a bad name.
Amazing is the fact that some how God designed these creatures in such a way that they’re able to ingest the dregs of the ocean and then process it in such a way that they they remain pink, fluffy and practically calorie free, while providing a good source of protein. Not to mention they’re simply divine.
But God didn’t stop with the shrimp; he designed us so we, too, could take the unfavourable and unsavory experiences in our life and, with His help, process them in such a way that we could turn out to be stronger and even more divine.
The overall symbolic lesson here is that:
“We are not a product of our circumstances but rather we are a product of our choices.”
“Shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. There’s, um, shrimp kebabs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo, pan-fried, deep-fried, stir-fried. There’s pineapple shrimp and lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich…” —Mykelti Williamson
When you think about all the great things that can be done with shrimp, can you just imagine what wonderful things God can do with you?
Today’s Life on Purpose Challenge:
Look at the your life. What are the unpleasant experiences that can be processed into gifts and strengths? What are the gifts and blessings that you possess now as a result of some of the difficulties you have already faced? How do you think these learnings can be used to serve and bless others?
Today’s Life on Purpose Affirmations:
“I choose to find the gifts and lessons in my life experiences.”
“I choose to process the unfavorable circumstances in my life into lessons that inspire and strengthen.”
I post new articles here every day, so bookmark this page, and come back tomorrow for another kick to get you off your rear and doing what you came to this planet to do. I am dedicated to assisting you on your journey to discover and live your “Life On Purpose”. Get my favorite quotes.
Also, if you would like to have my daily blog-post emailed to you as it happens, click here and simply give me your first name and email address, and put “email me your posts” in the comment box.
If you’re struggling or your hope meter is extra low, feel free to email me and ask a question.
Copyright © 2007 Becca Levie. All Rights Reserved. “Joy comes in finding and living your Life On Purpose.”—Becca Levie
Life on Purpose: Providing daily inspirational quotes, hope, inspiring true stories, positive affirmations, humor, tips, tools and strategies for overcoming challenges and depression. And teaching individuals how to find and live their life on purpose.