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10-27-09 (Test Results)
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Stephanie McIver
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Oct 27, 2009 14:25 PST
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Steph’s Stuff
10-27-09
(Test Results)
I was relieved to find that my website is working today—I never saw the
column I wrote yesterday (title “Tantrum Lessons”) show up in my inbox,
so I wonder if anyone out there got it. I immediately received the
‘test’ e-mail I sent out this morning along with LOTS of
responses—thanks for your help—and for the notes of encouragement that a
lot of you sent as well.
How did you feel about tests when you were a kid? For me, it depended
on the test. Was I ready for it? Had I studied the chapters that were
being covered? Was I guessing and sliding in on a wing and prayer?
School tests were sharply divided in success ratio, in direct proportion
to how much interest I had in the subject I was being tested on—or how
much terror of failure was present—and that was a given if the test was
in math or science. If it was in history or English or social studies,
I had a fighting chance.
Being measured in athletic ability—might as well have stayed home on
those days—I’m frighteningly, embarrassedly NON athletic. The only
sport I ever truly enjoyed was volleyball—and the only sport I was
injured in—I broke a finger getting a ball over a net for the winning
point. But that was a long, LONG time ago.
There are some tests that you can affect the outcome of—and some that
you can’t. I can see places where my test scores would have been much
better if I had applied myself. There were times when I DID apply
myself—and still bombed out. We can only do as much as we can do—and
sometimes that doesn’t measure up to the ‘norm’—but I guess it balances
out, because in other areas, we far surpass that norm and shine like the
stars we were created to be—(as long as math and science aren’t part of
the equation—for me. You have your own area where your light doesn’t
shine. We all do.)
Sometimes the tests are unannounced. You don’t have time to prepare for
them. How many of you can remember the terror in your heart at the
words ‘Pop QUIZ’! Uh oh, should’ve studied last night instead of
watching ‘The Brady Bunch’…
Sometimes the tests are unexpected and you have to respond to those
questions lightening fast—and your answers will affect the course of
your life. Questions of character, morality, charity, truthfulness,
sacrificial friendship. Questions you don’t really WANT to answer,
because they cause you to examine the state of your heart at any given
moment. And the state of your heart at that crucial moment might not
look very nice—and you don’t want to admit that you have that darkness
in you.
When I face those kinds of questions, it just shows me how very much I
need the grace and forgiveness of God—and that I need to ask Him for the
grace to extend that forgiveness to those around me. I have to pray
that I will remember that words spoken in the heat of anger can never be
taken back. Once they are out of your mouth, they are out there forever.
If only I’d thought first! I failed the test.
Another things about those unexpected tests—without any malice
aforethought, you can fail the test just by being silly—or sarcastic—or
non-committal. You don’t even realize that test was being given until
you see the look of pain on the tester’s face. ‘That was important to
me. I asked you because I wanted your respect and attention. And you
blew me off, without a second thought to how it would make me feel.’
But—but—I didn’t MEAN to! I didn’t know it was a TEST! I’m sorry!
“For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.” Job 34:3 (NIV)
We take tests—and we give tests—a lot of time without realizing we’re
doing it. Why does life have to be so complicated? Why all the tests?
“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested
as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious
than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials,
it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus
Christ is revealed to the whole world.” 1 Peter 1:7 (NIV)
We never know when the next test will come around. We can’t always
study for them. But we can be prepared by seeking His face in all the
questions that come up—whether we are ready for them or not. He knew
they’d be coming and He is waiting for us to ask for His help.
His tests are fair. His burden is easy and His yoke is light. Ready
for the results?
Fondly
Stephanie
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