My first thought was a sarcastic one: "How creative of him!" But immediately on the heels of THAT thought came the realization that this could be the title of my last 36 hours!
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| Leaves of three? Let them be! |
It was after moving to the site of a partially-fallen lilac bush that we encountered bees! I'm not sure I've had a bee sting in any of my 62 years of life. (Wasp, yes. Bee? I don't think so.) Well, we both got enough stings to make up for our lack of experience!
I woke yesterday with an obvious rash on both forearms. This morning, there are only a few places on my body that AREN'T covered with rash. My husband's are confined to his legs and arms.
This IS a test.
Actually, ALL of life is a test.
Job 23:8-10 " If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I
cannot perceive Him. When He is at work to the north, I cannot see
Him; when He turns south, I cannot find Him. Yet He knows the way I
have taken; when He has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold."Job understood that at least SOME tests come from God. Character is developed AND revealed by testing! God sees how we respond to people, problems, success, conflict, illness, disappointment, the weather, and even poison oak or ivy!
This is just another test I want to pass.
QUICKLY, if possible!
QUICKLY, if possible!
Like Job, I too am going for the gold.
Oh I am so sorry, I am particularly sensitive to poison ivy so I understand your discomfort. Praying this will pass quickly for you. Our hardships do tend to reveal what might be hidden deep in the crevices of our heart, refining never fun but I want that gold as well
ReplyDeleteOh, I have complete sympathy about the poison ivy. I am allergic to it...sigh...
ReplyDeleteHope you find some relief!
Deanna
ps - the fels naptha laundry soap works well to cut the oils.
i am so sorry about the poison ivy. My son has been especially sensitive to it and i know it can be miserable.
ReplyDeletei, too, love those verses in Job. what encouragement when times get tough! Rest up ~ have you tried apple cider vinegar on the rash? i've heard it helps in similar circumstances.
Oh, Rebecca! I am so sorry to read about your poison ivy . . . You must feel absolutely miserable. And bee stings drive me crazy for about a week. That was a high price to give for service. You were "pouring yourself out!" Blessings on you and Gary
ReplyDeleteMy husband is highly allergic and uses
ReplyDeletefels naptha soap and it helps a lot.
Hoping and praying you are better soon!
Oh Rebecca I am so sorry for you and Gary. Unfortunately it reminds me of something that my husband always says, "No good deed goes unpunished". I really don't believe in that saying but it sure seems right sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI hope you both feel better soon. That spray on calamine works wonders!
Love Di ♥
Bees and poison....ugh. What a test, my friend.
ReplyDeleteI get poison ivy rash from just being NEAR it...and have to eventually get a prescription for prednisone. I deal with the rash for a long time. What works well for me is over the counter Zyrtec (doctor told me to use this)....doesn't make you as drowsy as Benedryl...and I use calamine lotion. I do hope that you feel relief soon, Rebecca.
Love,
Jackie
Oh, Rebecca, I'm so sorry!
ReplyDeleteAnd this is something I OFTEN think about!
Why, when all we're trying to do is a nice deed for someone else, why does it all have to go wrong? Or why do we encounter so many roadblocks? It sure doesn't feel fair.
It just never makes sense to me, but I'm trying not to make such a big deal of the 'bumps in life's road' anymore.
'Sure wish I could develop a little more of your attitude.
I'll keep you in my prayers.
Love and Prayers, Eileen
I am never bothered by poison and I am not sure I would recognize it. I loved your analogy. I am trying to see the good even in the bad. Sometimes, I succeed.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't it seem like these "tests" come in flurries, or waves? My goodness; you've definitely had a bushel. I love this quote: "God does test us, but they are open Book tests."
ReplyDeleteThanks for connecting the dots so cleverly.
Oh my heavens Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteI feel so bad you just got over your shoulder situation, and now this. Didn't you just have poison ivy a few months back. I couldn't help but laugh at the way you wrote it, so had to read it to my hubby, so we did get a grin out of it, but we are most sympathetic to your plight and so glad you had no difficulties because of the bee stings.
You are so right I believe all of life is just one test after another..........and if we can
keep the right perspective and attitude I am convinced we can pass each test................
You go girl.........
Hope you aren't feeling too itchy. Bless your heart.
Love you sweet friend and I will sure be praying this passes ever so quickly.
Nellie
So so sorry...I hope it is better soon.
ReplyDeleteI too was focused on scripture this morning about test (trials) and just meditated on the fruit that can come from the trials...I pray I have good fruit from my test...but I usually go around the mountain another time to learn it better
Blessings and healing
Yes, all of life is a test... but it is "an open book" test if we rely upon the Word of God.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your specific testing.
One test you probably could have taken a pass on! I'm so sorry. I bet you're both miserable. I pray the itching starting to ease up a bit...
ReplyDeleteTake good care of one another.
peace~elaine
Hi Rebecca
ReplyDeleteI want you to know that when I visited your blog sometime on the first week of this month, I read in one of your posts that when you turned 40, you stopped using your name Becky, and decided instead to use your given name, Rebecca.
This really sparked something in my heart, because on the last day of August, God did speak the same thing to me, and what I heard from you served as a confirmation of what God was doing in this new season of my life.
THis is a wonderful post, Rebecca. Indeed, everything in life is a test!
Much love
Lidia
hope you are feeling better by now. ugh! And yes, I need to repeat to myself often, "This is a test!"
ReplyDelete