I’m a word girl; you know that by now. Don’t ask me about scientific processes, dates from significant historical periods or how to figure out a geometric problem. I would look straight dumb in most of these instances. So you know I was elated when I went to college and had to take only a few science and history courses and no math whatsoever. I was okay with not passing a few tests and overjoyed not to take one math test, but as you know hard tests transcend the walls of academia. We face them every day, can’t escape them if we tried, and we decide based on our preparation if we will pass these tests.
I had one last night. Flynn and I had dinner with a young married couple we mentor. They were talking about an unexpected car expense they had from their car just dying on them in route somewhere. We encouraged them to be thankful that they had the money for repairs and to remember “that life sometimes throws you curve balls,” tests that you don’t want and don’t expect. On our way home we got a curve ball: ironically our car died on us in the left lane of the expressway in the middle of a snowstorm. With the words to our young couple fresh on our minds, we had to decide what the answers to our test would be.
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
With this verse ever present as we mentor young couples and our scriptural arsenal we decided to believe that our God would supply all our need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Though we didn’t understand why the car broke and the fees came when the income is low, we understood that we couldn’t by worrying add a single hour to our lives (Matthew 6:27). We chose to accept that God, who cloths the non-employed grasses with lilies and feeds the jobless birds, would take care of us who do work and are more valuable to God than these (Matthew 6:25-32).
Yes, I’m a word girl, but these glorious words sometimes sting like a fast curve ball pitched by the opposing team. They are like the phrasing of trick questions on dreaded tests that you have studied for but had no idea would show up like these. These words sometimes seem too hard to learn. But I like words and praise God for the ones with promises. They are so much easier to remember and eat even with their sting.
What tests have you had lately? How well have you done with them?
Copyright 2011 by Rhonda J. Smith
Wow…these are the real test indeed. My test have been not feeling guilty about being unavailable to things and people. I can’t do it all. Especially as a newly married woman and mother of 4, working full time and actually doing what God says do during my free time. It can be hard for me, because I like to be busy. But my busyness has been slowing conforming to busyness of making sure my son stays focused and motivated at a challenging school, encouraging and assisting my husband in His Kingdom Dream and his business. Making sure my daughter doesn’t fall through the cracks at a school for smarts and not Christ. Ensuring I keep my joy in times of frustration and disappointments. Living – without fear and distrust in God. That’s a challenge for me. My history has proven that I was doing too much no matter what the cost of neglect was for me and those I have care over. But as I grow more intimate with God, I’m learning a few things.
That’s my test – to be available to HIM first so He leads me to who and where I should be.
Nikki, it’s so good that you are aware of your tests. I hope you continue to trust God so you don’t fall back into trying to be all things to all people. Thanks so much for sharing.