Test For The Best

By Angelo Head

For the past two years every summer, I have been blessed with the opportunity of helping my mentor with his catering business, Caribbean Cuisine. Now, my mentor, Mr. George, is a six foot, forty-something-year-old Jamaican. I had known Mr. George for nearly four years at our church before ever working with him. Naturally, I would get to see him smiling every once in a while and making a few jokes amongst fellow members, leaving anyone with the intention that he was a great guy. But when he asked my siblings and me if we would interested in working with him that summer, I got to see a whole new side of him. That year I would learn a very valuable lesson.

A typical day helping Mr. George usually begins at 7am in the morning. After showering and putting away our bedding, we would then begin hauling the utensils washed late the night before and the frozen pans of food we would sell that day out to the car. Once we had checked the list twice for everything we would need, we all found a place to sit amongst the supplies and headed down to our tent. As soon as we arrived at our designated location we hurried to get things set up. Unfortunately, since we weren’t pros at setting up the tent, Mr. George would have to correct and direct us every now and then on what things went where. With the food prepped and ready to serve, we all gathered around and joined hands to pray before the doors were opened and our day began.

Serving jerk-chicken or curry-goat, with a helping of red beans and rice and plantains, for a several hours in the middle of July is exhausting. Unfortunately, when you start getting tired you can also stop paying attention, which is pretty bad when your boss and mentor is a Hebraic Jamaican! So after getting corrected rather harshly frequently for either not unthawing the food ahead of time or keeping a good supply of plantains, I had had enough and stormed off away from the tent to blow off some steam. It was during this time that God lovingly encouraged me to remember the story of Job in the Bible.

Job had his family, livestock, and friends taken from him, and became really sick. But instead of cursing God for his misfortunes and for taking away his good life, Job worshipped God and gave thanks for all he had been given and all he was yet to receive. Wiping the tears from my eyes, I repented for my unthankfulness and thanked God for allowing me the opportunity to work and learn from Mr. George. After rushing back to the tent to help out, I continually reminded my siblings of what God had shared with me about Job. By the day’s end we had made more than any other day. As you could imagine, we were all really happy. But more importantly, I was happy and thankful for the valuable lesson I had learned.

So to all my Christian and non-Christian friends out there, I ask you: What is your test? Is there a subject in school that you find hard to understand? Do you find yourself constantly bickering with a family member or friend? Or maybe your test is in your relationship with God? Whatever you feel God is testing you in, remember that it’s because He loves you and wants you to grow. Just like Job, God will never give you more than you can handle. Don’t give up and don’t give in! God was pleased with Job for his faith and thankfulness, and blessed Job with double of all he had loss. God wants to do the same for you.

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