Yesterday was my first day at Starbucks (Oh, if I have not yet told you, by God’s perfect timing, Boss Lady called me back). So far, the days leading up to yesterday were conveniently orchestrated to make for a smooth transition from unemployment to coffee-makery, but it was not without it’s speed bumps and emotionally scarring trials.

Sunday evening I reached a traumatizing crisis. I know that years from now, I will look back on that Sunday and chuckle at the situation. But while I was in the storm, man, those waves looked monstrous. It was a rudely loving awakening and a reevaluation of where my allegiance is placed. Like times before, I knowingly placed all my bets on another human being while it hurts my Savior to see me gamble in the first place. You must know, beloved of Christ, that if you are in a relationship with a believer (and it must never be a non-believer), remember that the other person is not Christ, but a little Christ who is being transformed daily into the image of Christ. Instead, you must trust that Christ is doing a work in this person just as much as He has begun a good work in you. And that is all that I’m going to say about that.

From the past few days, I have noticed that God remains faithful. Which is funny, because I read it all the time when I spend time with the Lord, and instead of reading it as His affectionately recurring reminder and beckoning, I skim through it and scribble it down like a mindless mantra. But, oh is He faithful! He is faithful to break my ribs, give me a heart transplant, bind up my wounds and restore my strength.

Today, I stand knowing that I am loved and held. Ties and tethers of fellowship are restored. Humility has taken a hold of us and our love is completely abandoned to the Lord.

God brings on the storm to redirect my course, and He sends the calm that I may see His hand has been holding me all along.

Like a cup of Caffè Verona, Your love for me is deep and dark, yet sweet and awakening.