Growing up Christian, I fell in love with the words of God pretty much instantly.  Somewhere in the depths of my archived belongings lies a little red New Testament, my first Bible, a gift I treasured for years.

Just a wisp of a girl I was, but one who had an intense affection for all things wordy, so Scriptures fit right in.  I read it, memorized it, and loved the way passages flowed in that Old English style.

Yet, one set of scriptures always left me wondering.  I couldn’t quite make sense of it, but embraced words just the same.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds…”

“….because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2-3)

I would listen to Sunday School teachers, the pastor, everyone talk about this verse — it sure was popular in our day.  One primary reason for lack of understanding was obviously my age.  At seven, ten or even early teens, I hadn’t quite experienced ‘trials of many kinds’ — thankfully.  There are many children today who would beat my record.

And so I simply believed that it must be true — God doesn’t lie.

Then that little girl grew up.

 

{today, I post over at Michele’s home on the web, where I’m a monthly contributor — The God of Raindrop Blessings…join me over there to finish this post?}