As unto a coffee bean

Last night we were treated to a session of prayer and encouragement by our good friends Don and Carolyn.  To be honest, the excitement and adventure of starting the business has been eclipsed somewhat by the pressure and overall exhaustion of the whole thing.  It is so easy to find oneself in the place of discouragement and frustration when we pull ourselves out of God's grace.  I know that I am pretty much at the end of my rope when it comes to my own ability and resources.  Last night was a good opportunity to not only be encouraged but reminded that this whole venture is God's thing and I simply need to live in that truth.  The other thing that became obvious was that this time really is one of testing, like a coffee bean which starts out green and raw, heat must be applied for a duration for it to become transformed into the dark, sweet, flavorful thing which so many of us enjoy quaffing down.  Our lives need that same process from time to time and scripture promises that God tests and puts the heat to those whom he loves.  Personally, I think I am about at 1st crack on the roasting profile, the grassy sweetness of the initial development has now passed and the bean is going through a significant internal chemical reaction, things are changing and the old shell is incapable of remaining in tact.  It must crack to allow for the proper development of the bean to occur.  Thanks to Carolyn for the apt analogy by the way.  Amazing how when you look at things from God's perspective even isolation, pressure, and being at the end of your rope can all be good things.