This morning I walked into church ready to teach my normal all-girl Sunday School class. But because of a series of very random and unexpected events, somehow I ended up having to teach our entire singles’ department this morning. Including the guys.

<<< gasp >>>

Yes, I’m Baptist, so you probably shouldn’t tell anybody that I taught a coed group. Luckily, there was no pulpit, and no sermon, and technically our church policy allows female guest teachers as long it’s not a married class. Until you take that ultimate plunge, it’s okay to hear from an old single gal every once-in-awhile. At least, according to the bylaws.

So I went ahead and taught the group. It was scary having all of my friends staring back at me. Here were people I’ve known for years, but had no intention of ever TEACHING. But somehow, God moved this morning in Sunday School and people opened up and started sharing. It was amazing.

We talked about the people of Thessalonica and how they had endured a heck of a lot of suffering, and Paul gave them some encouragement. He told them to keep plugging along, to not give up. They weren’t alone. God was with them, and much, much stronger than they could ever imagine. I wrote back in January about weathering storms, and this morning the folks in my class gave me some other great verses to keep in your back pocket for when those rains come. Because we all know it’s just a matter of time.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Psalm 33:11
“But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”

Proverbs 19:21
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”

Proverbs 20:24
“A man’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?”

Here’s to hoping that you and I don’t need any verses about weathering storms for a long time. But if we do, it’s good to have them handy.