Tango With A Coconut

I have to admit it.  I have lots to learn when it comes to chopping open a fresh coconut.  The four coconuts given me a few days ago were sitting there, lined up in a row along the wall.  And for someone who absolutely loves coconut - this was pure torture.  So finally, I get the chance to go to Walmart to buy a hefty sharp knife.  You see, I'd already gone to the Home Depot and was inquiring for one of those square chopping knives but instead, the nice Latino employee walked me over to the machete in the lawn and garden area.  I carried it around for awhile  but it is 18" long and very conspicuous!  Plus, I live in an apartment with a small kitchen. So I decided not to buy it.  I found one at Walmart.  It has a good heavy heft to it and is sharp with a nice thick gripping handle.

So this afternoon, I grabbed up one of those coconuts.  I whacked at the narrow end for awhile but realized after quite some hacking that the main portion is on the other end opposite of where it was attached to the palm tree.

After a few whacks, I reached the hard core of the coconut and with one more whack, a geyser of clear coconut water comes spraying me right in the eye.  I had to laugh at the experience.  Never have I been squirted by a coconut before.  I grabbed a cup and turned the coconut so the rest of the juice could flow out.  Surprisingly, you get a good amount of juice - approximately 10-12 ounces.  And it's deliciously sweet!  I like drinking liquids at room temperature so this juice was just right!

You know, when you get something this good, it is worth the trouble, time, effort and hard work.  After the juice was extracted, then I had to give it a few mighty whacks with the knife to get to the meat.  The meat of fresh coconut is nothing like what I am used to from Northern Indiana.  This meat is tender and melts in your mouth.  It's light flavor of coconut is a delight for the tastebuds.

You should have seen my countertop though!  It was covered in the coconuts outer covering.  What a mess!  But it was worth it!

And isn't that just like God!  He is worth all the time and effort to get His juicy goodness!  It takes a sacrifice to get to know Him....to extract the meat and appreciate how tender He is.  To all who are not wise in their own eyes, fear The Lord and shun evil He will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.  Proverbs 3:7-8