This is Only A Test

I really try not to complain. To be honest, my life is wonderful. I have a wonderful husband, three wonderful children, a roof over my head, food in my fridge etc….etc…etc… I could go on for days about the blessings I have. But sometimes I let things get me down. Right now Mark is at the doctor’s office for the second time this week. The first time the doctor said his chest sounds like he has pneumonia. I guess this time he’ll find out yes or no. Nathaniel has had a stomach ache for 13 straight days. He has started taking Zantac (again). It has not eased his stomach, but has started giving him headaches. Lovely, huh? Benjamin has had to re-start his sinus rinse. He has been getting up in the mornings with a stuffed up nose and sore throat.

So, I have been caring for sick folks and trying to occupy Samuel so he does not pester his brothers too much when they are feeling bad. Right now he is spending two nights with Gran and Aunt Amanda so he can go to the Oneonta and Altoona Christmas parades. He is having a ball playing with Anna Claire. That has been such a help to me. I am able to clean everything withing bumping him in the head. I HATE germs!!!

A few minutes ago, I heard a voice from the sky say “This is only a test.” Even though I knew what it really was (the county testing the weather siren) it made me smile. It was like I was receiving an audible message from God. This….this time of sicknesses…this time of seeing so many others who are going through things much worse than taking care of sick families… it will pass. It is a test. Tests are not fun. But that does not make them bad. Sometimes the thing that must be done is not easy or fun. 1 Peter 6-8:

⁶In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,

⁷so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

⁸and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

The tests that the early church went through were much worse than just having to take care of people they love. Yet, they were told to rejoice in their trials.  How we respond to our tests or trails is what is important. It would be ridiculous if I sat around whining about how rough I have it when they are so many hurting, tired and suffering people around me. Like my mother in law who is going to have to have surgery Monday. She has been battling pain for I don’t even know how long. I hope and pray this surgery gives her relief. Or the man Mark used to work with who recently lost his wife. Or the lady we used to go to church with who recently lost her husband. Or the precious couple who recently lost their first-born child. Losing a loved on is never easy. You can tell yourself over and over that they are in a better place. You can tell yourself they are no longer suffering. That doesn’t make it easier to go on without them. So I want to thank God, that even though things might not feel peachy-keen and rosy right now, this will pass. This is only a test. The times where people are cruel is only a test. The times money seems to run out before the bills run out is only a test. The fairly new washing machine leaking sporadically is only a test. How I respond to these tests determines my grade.1 Corinthians 3:12-14

¹²Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,

¹³each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.

¹⁴If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.