Month: January 2021

AboutDebbie, bloghome, Lutheran Reflection, Lutheran Women in Mission

Trusting in the Teacher

I became very ill on January 3rd . I had all the symptoms that led me to believe I had contracted COVID-19: a high fever, chills, body aches, coughing, and so on. Monday, my husband, Scott, took me to get a COVID test. On January 7th the test came back negative. My symptoms persisted on and off for the next week. Scott still believes I had COVID and that the test is not completely accurate. We really are dealing with the unknown.

This made me think about all the tests I have been subjected to throughout my life, or that I subject myself to: aptitude tests, medical tests, personality tests, vehicle crash tests (kidding!), pregnancy tests, stress tests, etc. Why do I take tests? Academic testing is a critical checkup to assure learning is on track. Medical tests are necessary to assess many conditions and discover
deficiencies or diseases. If testing helps me discover important things about myself, then when God tests me, He does it out of love.

The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts (Proverbs 17:3). The New Living Translation says, Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart. I am quite sure that I fear being tested because I am afraid I may fail, but my battle with sin was won through Christ’s death and resurrection. Christ has passed the test for me!

The objective of testing is to discover the truth. Have I learned what was taught? Am I healthy or do I need treatment? When the Lord tests me and I fall short, through His Word and Sacraments, He reminds me of His love and forgiveness, and I learn once again to trust in Him. My faith is precious to my Father in heaven and my faithfulness is rewarded as I experience His peace and joy. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him (James 1:12). I may deal with the unknown in this life but my faith in Christ is grounded in Scripture. I know the Lord is my Creator, Christ is my Savior, and heaven is my home.

Let me be clear. I do not enjoy being tested, whether it’s a blood test, an intelligence test, or an event in life given to test my faith. I am certain, however, that I am weak and I need to lean on the One who I trust above all else. His strength becomes my strength. His victory is mine as well.

How have you been tested lately? Trust in the Teacher!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,
Debbie

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9–11).

AboutDebbie, bloghome, Lutheran Reflection, Lutheran Women in Mission

To Give or To Receive?

This week, in the grocery store parking lot, I received an offer of assistance from another woman. It was a kind offer, so why did I hesitate before accepting? I had unloaded all my groceries into the back of the Subaru and turned to look for the nearest cart return. This women, not much younger than me, asked if she could take my cart and return it for me. After a slight hesitation, I smiled and said, “Sure. Thank you!” That was it.

But, that wasn’t it. If you ask my family you will be told that I tend to overanalyze almost everything. I got into the driver’s seat and pulled down the visor, looked in the mirror, and wondered if I looked old and feeble. I prefer to be the person offering to help others in parking lots. I’m not the one that needs help — am I?

Do you have an easier time helping others or allowing them to help you? Do you find it easier to give than to receive? Think about it. When someone tells you they love your shoes, or your new jacket, etc., do you find that you tend to downplay the compliment? If we can’t receive a compliment with grace, we may find it difficult to show appreciation when receiving help.

When I need a fresh perspective, I often find it in the Scriptures. The story in Exodus 17 immediately comes to mind, where Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ arms during the battle with Amalek. Whenever Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hands, Amalek prevailed. Joshua led this battle, but it was the Lord’s victory. Moses needed
help, and the Lord provided it through Aaron and Hur.

I know that asking my Lord for help is good. I also need to appreciate that the Lord may ask me to give help to others, or He may ask me to accept help from others.

Looking back, in accepting the assistance of a stranger, God may have given her the boost she needed in that hour. God may have known that she would be blessed by heling. I know I feel blessed when I am able to help someone so, now, I will remember that I may, at times, be a different part of the equation.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him (John 3:16–17). Yup — help from God is
not only acceptable, but necessary!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,
Debbie

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

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