HSBC Coffeebreak

…in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
I Thessalonians 5:18

Many times throughout my adult life I knew I was obviously having a problem understanding what God wanted from me. You know those times, when you pray and pray, feeling like the prayers aren’t getting past the ceiling.

It was a beautiful, sunny day and the bay was like glass. With coffee in hand, I was pondering what my husband had said the night before. He had told me he didn’t want to be a father and grandfather to my children, he wanted a divorce. This cut deeply and I was questioning how I could have made such a wrong turn in life. I knew Christ, so how did I end up here?? Tears were streaming down my face as I looked out our picture window.

What I saw made me smile. My retired neighbor was attempting to learn to wind surf. He had a new step-son and wanted to connect with him. The contrast between the men drove the knife deeper.

I laughed each time he fell, waved to him and cheered him on. He would crawl up on that board; readjust the sail and his stance until finally he was gliding across the water, yelling in triumph. In that moment of time Jesus spoke an epiphany to me. We don’t really learn from our successes - only from our failures when we recognize them and adjust our stance and sails. This life is His school room, and just like school, we can learn what our teachers expect, do it their way and reap the reward, or we can end up in Continuation School.

The testing of our faith produces patience, and the work of patience makes us perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:2, 3) this is why we can thank Him in all things. For what seems to be an imperfect gift just may be what we need for God to perfect us. His Holy Spirit is constantly praying my feeble prayers in His Power and that power is what will accomplish victory over my sin and work all things for my good (Romans 8:28).

I’ve learned to embrace the trials life sends my way, assured of the love of Christ.

Written by
JoAnn Shelton