The Cost of the Chocolate Case
I still clearly remember one night in 2014, sitting on the floor in our dark empty shop, pre-opening, with my heart pounding in my chest as I stared at my first big purchase for this business. It was our custom gold chocolate case all lit up and yet to be filled like the dark empty room I sat in. It was so shiny and beautiful and I leaned my head against its cold glass as I gently stroked this precious investment. It’s why I nicknamed our chocolate case my “first baby”.”
Over twelve years ago, this one case cost me over $10,000 which gave me a lot of anxiety since that was and still is a lot of money to me. It wiped out ⅓ of my personal savings I had built up in my decade of working prior to this and now my entire savings of $30,000 was gone to open the kitchen and shop in 2014. And honestly, I wasn’t sure if this was going to work. It was my first time really actually doing something in faith to follow God’s plans, rather than my own plans.
Shortly after this night, I became pregnant with our first of two babies. I remember when the soft opening of our shop rolled around in September, I had to break open the lei I received, which meant that everyone slowly figured out that I was 3 months pregnant.
First was this chocolate case baby, then our baby girl, then we purchased a second chocolate case baby, then had our baby boy in the span of the first three years as I wondered when I could one day put myself on payroll to care for all of theses babies. So really, all the glory goes to God, our CEO, as this was His crazy plan and not mine and it has been year after year of trusting in Him to this day. The good news is He has never failed us.
Sometimes, I don’t know how we are still here, but I guess that’s what reminds me that it’s not about me or even us, but it’s about Him and what He wants to do in and through us to bless others.
Finding peace by piece:
May this story be a reminder and bring you some peace that some pieces will break and may need to be replaced, but some things cannot be replaced. So take care of the things you can, but absolutely take care of the people you love and those around you.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9