HSBC Coffeebreak

That whatsoever you ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
John 15:16b

About 1 ½ years ago our 15 year old grandson (he was 13 at the time) was having some eye problems. It occurred to his mother that he wasn’t focusing. Since it was almost time for a checkup, she took him in to see his eye doctor. In the coming weeks, he was to see several doctors, the last being a specialist in Portland.

After one long day spent in Portland, the doctor came to the conclusion that our grandson had a terminal disease of the eye – one that could not be treated. He told our son-in-law that he was 95% sure. Eventually he would lose his sight, become an invalid and would probably not live much beyond 20 years. What a heavy load for our son-in-law to carry!

He called us and told us about the “diagnosis” and my husband and I felt numb. We cried and prayed a lot that night. The next day, we had to get busy and notify our family. That’s when our grandson was placed on MANY prayer chains across the country – east coast to west coast, north to south. I talked to my cousin at Bob Jones University and she told me that the school would pray for a miracle! Our daughter couldn’t seem to talk to anyone, but just kept to herself. Finally, she called and we cried, prayed and had the best conversation.

Days went by and they turned into weeks. Finally, just before Christmas, the call came that the test they were waiting for was negative! Praise the Lord! The doctor was in shock, wondering how he had misdiagnosed the situation! Certainly there were those of us that knew the hand of God was in this and that it had been a miracle! The doctor, however, wanted to do the test a second time. Again, the “waiting game” began, but it turned out negative a second time. The other test they did revealed our grandson does have a severe problem with his eyes. He was diagnosed with “Cone Dystrophy” which has to do with genetics. He can lose his sight, but they can’t say how much or if he will be totally blind - but God spared his life!

We don’t know what God has planned for him, but he certainly seems to get along well with the sight that he has. I cannot say what I would feel if a doctor were to tell me that one of my children would not live long. It certainly has made me aware of the fact that our time on earth is totally in God’s hand. All things are in His time!

Written by
Delma Lebien

HSBC Coffeebreak

The Lord protects the simple-hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.
Psalm 116:6

My daughter has recently adopted a caterpillar, Fuzzbudd, into the family. She keeps him/her (anyone know how to tell the difference in a caterpillar?) in a small plastic tin loosely closed to allow it air.

This morning when I got up, I realized that the lid was open and one of our cats was taking an unusual interest in our new little friend. After removing the cat, I checked on Fuzzbudd and he/she was happily eating away at a leaf unaware of the menace of the cat or the protection of his benefactor.

I wonder how often God has done the same for me. When troubles come, I sure am quick to notice and reach out for His help. There have also been the times such as the near miss on a car accident when I thank Him for keeping me safe.

When was the last time I praised Him for all the times He has kept me from dangers I didn’t even know were a threat? Thank You, Lord, for not only protecting me from the seen, but also the unseen threats, in my world!

Written by
Michelle Chard

HSBC Coffeebreak

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9

Mother’s Day weekend wasn’t my finest. I seemed to be really struggling to demonstrate patience towards my children. For example, that Saturday I had decided to really do something outside the box and make chocolate chip pancakes for my children. I am a health food nut, so in my head I thought that this was definitely going to be a special breakfast. My children were going to LOVE it.

Nope. My oldest, who’s three, decided that she didn’t like the looks of the “black dots” in her pancakes. Her 20- month-old sister followed immediately. They both pushed their plates away and said, “Ew.” Having mentally built this breakfast up to be one of my greatest moments in “fun motherhood,” I was devastated. I cannot lie, I lost it.

“Eggs? You want eggs? You never want eggs when I make them. Why now? It’s chocolate for cryin’ out loud…what kind of little girl doesn’t eat chocolate? I can promise you, I will never make a special breakfast treat for you again. If you are just going to say, “Ew,” then I won’t even try!” (Just a sample of my rantings)

Without even going in to the specifics of the crazy things I said that morning, I immediately felt awful. As I scrubbed the breakfast dishes furiously, I realized that I had behaved selfishly and immaturely. Who was the parent here and how could God think that I was a competent mother? My children were suffering at the hands of a madwoman… who would save us now?

The following day, at church, we sang Chris Tomlin’s “Enough.” The chorus says, “All of You is more than enough for all of me/ for every thirst and every need/ You satisfy me with Your love/ And all I have in You is more than enough” Tears streamed down my face as the truth of those words sunk into me in a very real way. His grace is more than enough for my weaknesses. He is more than enough for all of me! I realized that on my own strength, I would never have more patience with my children, I would always struggle to be more flexible with them and to remain calm in intense moments.

Only God’s power, only God’s strength can change me. He made me with weaknesses so that He could change me…so that I would become dependent on Him to thrive in this life. He made me weak so that He could be strong.

I am grateful for God’s grace in a new way. I will never be a perfect mom. But I can be a mom who trusts that God is enough for my weaknesses. He can change me in a permanent way; I only have to bring my sins and struggles to His feet. There, He does not condemn me, rather He says, “Holly, I am bigger than those. Take my hand…let my love and my strength lead you to a better way. Please let me work in you.”

Written by
Holly Hauskins