This article has nothing to do with cooking pinto beans. By the way, I love them fixed in an iron skillet. Instead, it’s about how a game that used pinto beans changed the way I approached life.
It started at a baby shower in a cousin’s house when I was eight years old. Listen, I was always ready for a shower or party since they had lots of tasty cupcakes and games where I could win a prize. At this shower, I joined in a game where they passed out ten uncooked pinto beans to all the players. Each person would say something that they have never done. Those who had done it, had to give that person a pinto bean. When time was up, the person with the most beans won. When it was my Mamaw Girdle/Myrtle’s turn, she announced: “I’ve never driven a car.” Almost all of the adults gave her a bean. When it was my turn, I said: “I’ve never been to the beach.” Again, almost everyone gave me a bean. I gleefully envisioned myself receiving the prize.
As the game progressed, I began to realize just how many things that I hadn’t done yet in my life. So, I placed them on “To Do” checklists. These were things that most people want to learn how to do as they become an adult. I made note of each one that I accomplished: Roller skating: check. Swimming: check. Riding a bike: check. Driving a car: check. You get the idea.
I also had a checklist that was for positive experiences: Go to the prom: check. Win a trophy/award: check. Play in the State Softball Tournament: check. Hit a homerun: check. Be on TV: check. Write a book: check. Be in a parade: check. Also included were things that I used to only see on TV and I didn’t think they would be possible for me to ever get to experience in person: Ride in a boat on the Atlantic Ocean: Check. Watch a space shuttle launch: check. Climb a lighthouse: Check. Talk to a real astronaut: Check. Visit a fort hundreds of years old: check. Then there are the not so pleasant ones: Surgeries: Check. Root Canal: Check. Flat tire: Check. Stitches: Check. Car trouble on the interstate: Check. Falling down a flight of stairs: Check. Check.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 (KJV)
The most important items on any of my lists were accepting Jesus and being baptized. Over the years, I have known others who aspired to that as well, but once they were saved, they didn’t do anything else with It. After all, they then had the assurance of eternal life. Check.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)
Personally, I think we should be active with our salvation. Jesus didn’t sit around and wait for people to come to Him so he could do His works. He sought them out and we should do that as well. That can be working in a local ministry or participating in a global one. They are all important and we as Believers need to be doing them.
So, did I win the pinto bean game? Kinda. Since it was a tie between Mamaw Girdle/Myrtle, a cousin and me, they gave each of us a prize. Mine was a little flashlight in the shape of a bible. When I showed it to my mom, she asked how I had won it. I got to thinking about it and answered: “For not doing anything.”

Brooke Cox is an author, speaker, and storyteller. She was a 2016 Selah Awards Finalist for Debut Novel. Her children’s book: “Dinosaur Eggs,” is now available. It is based on Ephesians 6: The Armor of God. Her novel “Until the Moon Rises: A Conniving Cousin Mystery” is also available. Also, she has two books out in her storytelling series: “Saucy Southern Stories.” The Amazon links for her books may be found on her website: brookecoxstories.com. Please feel free to contact her. She would love to hear from you.