Steadfast
- Aug 23, 2020
- 7 min read
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that
the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4
I think for all of us this has been, in some way, a season of testing. Testing of our patience, our stamina, our emotions, our frugalness, and of course our faith. I won't belabor the Covid subject, as we have all probably had our fill of that news, but I want to acknowledge the challenging reality for so many people in these times and talk just a bit about what it has meant for our family.
I will start by saying that we are so grateful for our health, Elise's job (which has been secure throughout the pandemic), our family, technology that allows continued connectedness to friends, and our little nuclear family that continues to grow (meaning in height, development, intelligence...we are not pregnant). We recognize that we are blessed beyond measure and we want to live in gratefulness.
That being said, there have been challenges.
I think we mentioned in our previous post that Elise returned to work after fewer weeks of maternity leave than she would have liked (thank you, America). At about the same time, the world turned upside down and David's classes all went online. This was challenging for all of us, but especially David who was trying to succeed in school while being a full-time dad at home (others can relate, I'm sure). Being new to the area, our social connections were already limited, and now they were almost cut off entirely with everyone "staying at home"; for people-persons like us (and probably millions of people worldwide), this was just plain hard. Things were closed. Options of activities with kids were limited. An active toddler in an apartment was exhausting. Newborn life while working and studying was exhausting. Watching the news even became exhausting.
So, we are exhausted :-)
David is at the end of his rope with the boys, even though from my perspective he has been a true champion through all of this (he and Jude are raising a turtle, making fresh fruit juice for mommy to take to work, delivering groceries to neighbors, etc.). Elise is tired and in many ways wishes both adults could work part-time, as she would love more hours at home with the boys. She did, however, just switch jobs and is now working 12-hour night shifts, which means fewer shifts per week and more days off...a decrease in pay, but worth every penny for more family time. We have plans to see our Swiss family in December, but those plans are quickly fading as we don't see a near end to the current international travel limitations. Jude is an energetic and very social little boy, and it has been hard for him to have limited play time with other kids (he used to love going to the YMCA daycare for 2 hours a day, but this stopped for months and is only just now reopening). So these have been some of our challenges. (Sorry, spacing error that I somehow couldn't fix).
We know that we are not an isolated case. There are so many who have faced these same challenges and who are currently living through much more intense difficulties -- and we pray that God intervenes on behalf of those who are suffering around the world. I hesitated to even write any of this because in some ways it feels ridiculous to "complain" about our minor trials when much more consequential tribulations abound around us.
BUT, the purpose of writing all of this is to first of all update those who care to know what's going on with our little family, secondly to give myself an outlet for processing all that has happened these past months, and thirdly to somehow encourage those who might need to be reminded that trials have a positive purpose in our lives. Because, as we see in the book of James, we are told to rejoice in trials, as they ultimately lead to the perfecting of our faith. As David and I have been processing through this season, we have been reminded that difficulties reveal our sinful nature, and give God an opportunity to sanctify us and make us more like Christ. Selfishness, self-reliance, insecurities, a lack of the fruit of the Spirit, irritability; these are just some of the ugliness that God has pointed out in our hearts over the past few months. Now we are aware, and we pray for transformation of our hearts and the renewing of our minds.
Another fruit of "suffering" is learning to rely on Christ. Our human nature likes to believe that we are in control. I think that in 2020 it is becoming more obvious to the world that nothing is truly under our control. Finances, health, family, relationships, possessions, freedoms; these sources of "security" have crumbled underneath our feet in recent months, and as Christians, that gives us an opportunity to recognize our own powerlessness and learn to rely on Christ. Personally, David and I realize we need the Lord for even the smallest things (maintaining our sanity, finding the energy to take advantage of teachable moments as we raise our boys, living with integrity, speaking to each other with grace, loving our neighbors, etc. etc.). We. Need. Jesus. And we are more aware than ever.
This post feels a bit like our lives right now: helter-skelter and long. :-) So I do apologize if it is hard to follow. But I pray that if you made it all the way to the end with me, or even if you just read the opening text, you might find some courage in the words of Scripture that give us strength to endure hardship, knowing that God is producing in us steadfast hearts. The more trials we endure with our Lord, the more we see His faithfulness, the more we know His power, and the more unshakable our faith becomes. He knows what He is doing. Our job is to seek Him, love Him, and trust Him. And to rejoice in the fact that He would take the time to sharpen our faith the way that He so wonderfully does.
Be encouraged. Be transformed. Be steadfast.
We love you all ! Thank you for reading, for caring about us and for praying for us. A couple prayer requests:
1. David starts in-person classes again tomorrow; he is EXCITED but it will be BUSY (19 credits). Please pray for endurance for our family through this semester and that David would find the time he needs to study well. Also that he would continue to stand out in his class for his integrity and work ethic.
2. Elise really enjoys her new job and is loving the fact that she works in a facility with other nurses and staff; please pray that she can be a bright light to her coworkers and patients.
3. Jude is amazing. We never cease to be amazed by his sharp little brain, his bright glimmering eyes, his sweet mischievous smile, his abounding energy, his friendly nature; please pray that we would have the wisdom, patience, and love to raise him well.
4. Giovanni is not sleeping wonderfully. Not terribly either, but just not enough for our liking. No details needed, just more sleep for mom and dad. Please pray for wisdom or that he would simply decide to sleep better for us. He is also a little treasure, and we are starting to see his very chill and sweet nature expressed more and more (in stark contrast to that of his brother).
5. We love our neighbors ! We have been doing "Fridays at Five" which is a social gathering outside in front of our garage to which all our neighbors are invited. It has been a great way to connect. Please pray for opportunities and ideas for how we can stay connected in the winter months.
A few pictures.
Here is the full text if you would like to read:
1 James, a servant[a] of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:
Greetings.
2 Count it all joy, my brothers,[b] when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass[c] he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
12 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. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.[d] 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
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