Mercy

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This is a test...

Yesterday a friend told me that she got a "mailer daemon" message when trying to email me.  So this morning I asked my husband to email me so I could see whether or not my email account was working.  I just received his message.  "This is a test."

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!

Leaves of three?  Let them be!
Tuesday evening, I asked him if we could go help a friend who mentioned the overgrowth in a section of her back yard.  We packed a few tools.  I took my gardening gloves.  It wasn't until we'd begun tearing out some stubborn weeds that it occurred to me that we might be handling poison oak or ivy.

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!
Like Job, I too am going for the gold.
Posted on

16 comments:

  1. MaryannSeptember 15, 2011 at 7:40 AM

    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

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  2. Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage BlogSeptember 15, 2011 at 8:18 AM

    Oh, I have complete sympathy about the poison ivy. I am allergic to it...sigh...

    Hope you find some relief!

    Deanna

    ps - the fels naptha laundry soap works well to cut the oils.

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  3. UnknownSeptember 15, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    i am so sorry about the poison ivy. My son has been especially sensitive to it and i know it can be miserable.
    i, 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.

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  4. BrendaSeptember 15, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    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

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  5. SandySeptember 15, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    My husband is highly allergic and uses
    fels naptha soap and it helps a lot.
    Hoping and praying you are better soon!

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  6. DianaSeptember 15, 2011 at 11:51 AM

    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.
    I hope you both feel better soon. That spray on calamine works wonders!
    Love Di ♥

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  7. JackieSeptember 15, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    Bees and poison....ugh. What a test, my friend.
    I 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

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  8. EileenSeptember 15, 2011 at 2:06 PM

    Oh, Rebecca, I'm so sorry!
    And 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

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  9. Janie FoxSeptember 15, 2011 at 5:56 PM

    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.

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  10. Kathleen September 15, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    Doesn'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."

    Thanks for connecting the dots so cleverly.

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  11. Nellie's Cozy PlaceSeptember 15, 2011 at 10:06 PM

    Oh my heavens Rebecca,
    I 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

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  12. Janettessage.blogspot.comSeptember 16, 2011 at 7:03 PM

    So so sorry...I hope it is better soon.

    I 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

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  13. TamaraSeptember 17, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    Yes, all of life is a test... but it is "an open book" test if we rely upon the Word of God.

    Sorry to hear about your specific testing.

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  14. elaine @ peace for the journeySeptember 17, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    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...

    Take good care of one another.

    peace~elaine

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  15. Crown of BeautySeptember 20, 2011 at 11:50 PM

    Hi Rebecca
    I 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

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  16. Jacquelyn StagerSeptember 21, 2011 at 7:30 AM

    hope you are feeling better by now. ugh! And yes, I need to repeat to myself often, "This is a test!"

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