I am sitting here at my desk wanting to tell you about the gift of the Holy Spirit that I received last week. However, as I wrote one draft, it began to sound like a “poor me” story. It is not. It is a tale of how the Holy Spirit came to my rescue and to the aid of quite a few others involved in the same pursuit.

But it is complicated and not easy to explain. It is a story about how the plans we make often fall apart through no fault of our own. It is a story of circumstances beyond our control.

So, I will just tell you this: With one phone call on Monday, the Holy Spirit sent an answer to my personal quandary. He created a solution with a synergy that is uplifting just to think about.

In January, Joy’s Stephen Ministry committed to a training class with two trainees and four leaders to teach the 50 hours of Stephen Ministry Training. In February, three of the four leaders experienced situations which made it impossible or very difficult for them to participate in the scheduled classes. That left just me.

Coincidentally, Joy had recently joined a Stephen Ministry Area Network. Network churches can co-operate on training classes. A member church was also having a training class; their class had three students. One of leaders from this church called to see if our two trainees would be willing to join their class of three, creating a class of five. That is a much better number for the roll playing, brainstorming and discussion activities of this training.

I prayed. I surrendered my will in this matter over to the God of my understanding. He knows the intricacies of all parties involved. I prayed that I would be able to accept His will – whatever that might be. Everyone agreed that this joint venture was a perfect ecumenical solution.

For me, this is another example of letting go of the struggle and surrendering to the will of God. Letting go of the need to fix it all by myself. The caring people in our fellow church have the same goals as we do, to spread the word and love of Christ to the people of their church and their community. I truly believe that this is a gift of the Holy Spirit who shares the same goal.

This is another validation of the unconditional love which God pours on His people all over the universe. Yes, God does love you unconditionally.

Terri