Life is Like an Avocado

         My man took me to the county fair last Friday. Fairs are synonymous with freakishly large things. Whether cows, pigs, carrots or balls of string, large is celebrated with blue ribbons. One of my favorite big things we found was giant painting of a large avocado. See picture below in which I attempt to take a bite of canvas. 

           The enormity of this painted fruit reminded me of something I wrote at school two years ago. 

           "God showed me this morning that I often approach life the way I approach avocados. I just naturally assume they are going to be rotten. I hope they will be perfect, but I prepare for the worst. I expect fear. But God is showing me that life is rarely, dare I say never, as bad as I worry it can be, and always way better than I can imagine it to be. It is not a perfect illustration as I have experienced many disappointing avocados and very little trouble in life, and avocados as a fruit are simply a garnish whereas life is the main course I suppose. 

          But it remains that I expect avocados to be brown and rotten and plan to cut out the bad and mush the rest with garlic, salt and pepper to make guacamole just in case. I do that in life too, planning for possible outcomes. But God just wants me to trust him and not waste energy worrying. I think God makes much better guacamole than I do. Though the thick, dark skin prevents me seeing the quality of the fruit underneath, God has created the cool, green stuff to be good, and he sees it while it hides from me." 

         After announcing the revelation that "life is like an avocado" in creative writing class and writing an avocado inspired haiku on the board during our poetry workshop, my Ohioan professor responded, "By saying 'life is like an avocado,' do you mean it is tasteless and bland?" So for those non-California natives who do not fully appreciate the importance of the avocado, I apologize that this illustration may prove mostly wasted.

         But for anyone else who enjoys the green, smooth texture...

         I am not sure whether Jane Austen was ever inspired by food. However, she does include an interesting reflection on potatoes from the mouth of Mr. Collins at the Bennet's dinner table. But as a wannabe writer, I am often struck with an idea after reflecting on edible things like avocados, omelets and pizza, etc. 

        Returning to reflections on the avocado, I found this idea of expecting disappointment relevant once again in this new season of post-graduation. Although it's been strange to live without school or the thought of returning to it, things are beginning to form in a direction that I didn't think feasible a couple of weeks ago. I started my first paid writing project today, and I feel quite at home because it's just like getting a homework assignment. The point being that God remains much more faithful than an avocado. Though the avocados have been mostly quite tasty and creamy too this summer.