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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

Time with Mom

I spent all last week in Roanoke, Virginia. This has been the first time I’ve ventured into an airport since the COVID-19 pandemic caused a shutdown of travel and effectively isolated all of us. I felt totally safe and feel the airports and airlines are taking precautions that will help slow the spread of this virus.

I made this trip to spend time with my Mom, MaryAnn Young. Mom, who is 90 years young, has been staying with my youngest sister and her family for the past several years. She normally goes back to the farm in North Dakota each summer, but this has not been a normal year!

My sister’s husband’s family gets together at a lakeside resort in Minnesota each summer for their vacation. Mom has been experiencing severe pain due to a much-needed hip replacement and didn’t want to travel, so my sister asked me to spend the week with her in Virginia. This was not in my plans. Actually, my grandson was to visit us in Colorado, and many plans and schedules had to be changed. God, of course, already knew this — He just hadn’t shared His plans with me. Mom and I made meals together, played cards, enjoyed movies (Hallmark Christmas movies, if you can believe it!), sat on the deck filled with herbs and flowers, and slept late each morning. I guess it was a vacation for me, too!

My Mom cherishes her large photograph collection. She loves taking pictures and receiving them. At the farm she has countless albums, each sorted by years. Many of her favorite photos have been scanned
onto her iPad, and she loves the memories they awaken. It’s good to look back and remember, and it’s good to make new memories. That’s what Mom and I did last week. We laughed and we cried. Sometimes we just sat in silence and listened to the birds. What a gift this week was for me!

Today, I remember last week with Mom. I thank God for a safe and wonderful trip, and I look forward to the next time I get to be with Mom. Isn’t it interesting that everything works as God planned it?

Thank you, Father, for Your plans for my life. How good it is to know You are always with me!
Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,
Debbie

AboutDebbie, bloghome, Lutheran Reflection, Lutheran Women in Mission

Finding a Cure

I’m tired of COVID-19. I’d love it if we could go back to meeting in public places, hugging, and eating in crowded restaurants. I wish we didn’t have to make difficult decisions about getting together or traveling. I want a cure for the Coronavirus or a vaccine — now. Yes, I may be having a pity party!

A while back, my good friend Jan Schmidt wrote a devotion about finding a cure and referenced Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria (2 Kings 5). He had wealth, he had power, he had servants, he had it all except his health. He was a leper. She also talked about the Roman army centurion who had a valued servant who was dying (Matthew 8:5). Both Biblical accounts give witness to God’s power to heal.

In this world and at this time, we also are looking for vaccinations or cures, particularly for COVID-19. Many companies and scientists are racing to find a vaccine. But let’s remember, only God has the power to cure.

I thank God for providing the knowledge needed for developing vaccines. I thank God for providing for
us as we live on this earth and I praise Him for providing the ultimate cure — the cure from eternal damnation caused by my own sin. Jesus Christ is the cure and we don’t need to ‘find’ Him. He seeks us out.

I am tired of COVID-19. I want everything to go back to normal but I need to remember that normal for many is dealing with poverty, depression, cancer, or other diseases that are chronic or terminal. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b). I hope this blog isn’t a downer for you. I hope, in the midst of your tribulations you find refuge in the arms and promises of our Savior. By God’s grace, I will call upon the Lord and ask that He give me
patience (I need a lot of that!) and I will trust in Him and seek His will.

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