A lesson on Perseverance – with Samantha
Written by: Rebecca Holsapple

Samantha was sad this cold winter morning. She was going to school without her very best friend Chloe, again. Chloe and her family had moved just out of town and she had to change school after the long break. Since going back to school after New Year, Samantha just wasn’t her happy self.

She gloomily got dressed, not really caring what outfit she put on,brushed her hair and put it up in a ponytail and went downstairs for breakfast. She felt like no one could understand just how upset she was about this change. Mom tried to be sweet; she had been making her favorite foods for weeks now, and had been going out of her way to spend extra time with her forlorn daughter.

Samantha loved her mom so very much but she didn’t feel the loss of her best friend at school any less.

She sat at the kitchen table.

“Hi sweetheart! How are you doing this morning? Isn’t it a nice sunny day today?!”

“I’m fine… I guess it’s nice.”

Samantha’s mom picked up on her unhappy mood right away.

“Oh honey, are you still upset? It’s been over a month and you spent all of yesterday with Chloe after church!”

“I know… but it just made me realize that I miss her even more then I remembered.  It’s so upsetting to have to go through every day at school all alone.”

“Samantha dear, you have other friends, and this makes your time with Chloe even more special.” said mom.

“I guess…” Samantha had a defeated expression on her face. “I don’t feel like I have friends. I do, but they don’t understand me like Chloe does, and they don’t always want to pair up with my like she did.”

“I know this is hard for you, but you need to keep persevering, and you’ll see it will get better with time. Let’s pray before we eat.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your presence in our lives; thank you for always taking care of us. We pray that you be with Samantha today, help her persevere in her studies and her friendships without Chloe there with her. Help her remember you are always with her. Bless this food to our bodies, thank you for always providing. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.”

Samantha and her mom ate breakfast alone as Juliette and Shiloh, Samantha's three year old twin siblings were still asleep.

Once she was done, had rinsed her plate and gone upstairs to brush her teeth and get her book bag, Samantha put on her heavy coat and walked to the bus stop.

Samantha had just walked out the door, and dad went to sit at the table. Mom was putting the dishes in the dishwasher. Mom and Dad had talked a lot about Samantha’s attitude in the last month. Dad asked mom if Samantha was any better that morning. He had been getting ready for work and missed his usually happy- go lucky daughter that morning. Mom told him she was still in a terrible place and she couldn’t believe it was lasting this long.

“I think it’s time we sit down with her and have a long talk.” said Dad. “This had been going on too long.”

“I agree, honey. Let’s do it tonight. “

That evening, Samantha was walking slowly home from the bus stop, her shoulders were sagging and she was dragging her feet. School had been awful. She had eaten lunch all by herself because she had decided a week ago not to be part of the spring play and all her friends were in it and having a practice over lunch. She had been the last one picked in gym class and it had taken a really long time for her to find a partner in science class. She wanted to cry. It just was not fair that her best friend wasn’t there with her.

She walked in the door still sulking to find her mom and dad sitting in the living room waiting for her. They picked up on her mood as soon as she walked in. It was definitely time for this talk.

“Hey sweetie! How was your day?” mom said.

“Not good… it was plain awful really… I don’t think anyone could have possibly had a worse day!”

“Is that right?!” dad asked.

Samantha was about to start rambling all the bad things that happened when she noticed dad picking up the Bible. She knew she was about to get some sort of a lesson.

“Why don’t you take off your coat and sit with us Chloe. I think we need to talk.” said dad.

Chloe did just that and quietly waited to see what her parents had to say.

“Your mom and I understand that you have been going through a tough time lately. And that right now it does seem like the worst thing that has ever happened to you. But we don’t think you are putting it in perspective, and we also don’t think you are having a very good attitude about it.”

Samantha was flabbergasted. She had been feeling so down on her luck that she really hadn’t stopped to think how she was acting was wrong.

“I was thinking about it today, knowing we were going to talk to you tonight, and do you know who came to mind?”

“Who?” said Samantha.

“Job” said dad. “He was one persecuted man. He lost everything he had; he lost his family, all his wealth and got terribly sick.  But you know what, he persevered, he always knew that God was in control of his situation. He said:  “The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord. “  And do you know what God said of Job, that he was perfect. “

“Really?” Samantha was listening intently.

“Yes, here in James, Chapter 5 verse 11, is says: “Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”

“Because Job never gave up on God, never cursed him, persevere in his faith and good attitude, God gave him back everything he had and so much more. Some time we go through trials, they are hard for us but we need to always remember that God is in control.”

“Do you know what the word perseverance means Samantha” asked mom.

“I think so…. “ said Samantha.

“The dictionary’s definition is this: Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. Continuance in a state of grace leading finally to a state of glory.

I love the part about it being a state of grace. Were you being very graceful about not having Chloe at school with you anymore?”

“No I wasn’t, not at all. I realize now, I have been moody and upset. I’m so sorry” Samantha had tears in her eyes. She wanted to please God and her parents.

“Oh sweetie, it’s ok. We all go through trials, and have hard times. We just always need to remember to persevere, and keep our eyes on God. He knows what’s good for us, he knows just what we need. The Bible says in Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Dad gave Samantha a big hug.

“You know what else; God gives us trials, to make us more like him. It builds our character; we learn lessons and more about Him.” said mom.

“I understand. I think I was making things worse for myself because of my attitude." said Samantha. “From now on, I am going to persevere.  Thanks mom, thanks dad! I love you!”

“We love you too! “ Mom gave her a kiss and they all headed to the kitchen for a snack.

The End

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12