IN ALL THESE THINGS…..

Imagine our excitement as we helped to dress a radiant, Chinese bride from Singapore. Although not speaking English, she travelled to South Australia to marry her Chinese husband, a graduate in engineering. The Best Man translated the English service into Chinese.

Our children enjoyed every moment. Seldom invited to weddings, they determined to enjoy every minute. Adjusting the bride’s veil, I hugged her with an assuring smile a few moments prior to leaving for the church ceremony. Suddenly one of our daughters turned to me crying, ‘Mum, what are these red spots on my arm?’ Gasping with surprise, I called my doctor husband.

With one puzzled look, he diagnosed ‘chicken pox.’ Oh, what can she do?’

My husband and I represented the parents of the groom and bride. We hustled the saddened child to bed. When a kind friend suddenly appeared, and realising our situation, devotedly offered to stay with our tearful daughter.

Two days later marked the beginning if our usual annual holidays. Each year we rented a cottage near the beach, so that the children cold enjoy swimming. We regretfully cancelled our booking because the chickenpox appeared on younger children also. Despite the hot weather, we were glad to be in our own home.

Disappointment may lead to anger, resentment, sorrow, impatience and more. But our Lord is never surprised. His promised supply of needed grace and strength for every situation enables us to be ’More than conquerors.’ We not only defeat satan, the enemy, who attacks us in our vulnerability, instead we win the victory by accepting God’s purpose, plan and control of our lives as Christians.

During the first week of such hot weather, I changed the sheets and sleeping attire daily with the wash-pile larger than usual. Then the hot water system broke down. Frustrated? Or more than conqueror! At such times, the Lord gives His grace when we trust HIM, so dispelling despair.

One morning I pegged one of my favourite dresses on the line. Imagine my horror when later in the day I found the dog had chewed large holes in the dress, after it had been blown to the ground. I nearly cried. However, the Lord gave me grace to laugh. I cannot explain it, except that My Lord made me a ’more than conqueror’. It proved rather a victory for Him, because He loves me.

And that rare dish, which had been a wedding gift! How I valued it. One day I heard a crash. Instinctively I knew the precious gift had been dropped by a dear child, who helpfully dried the dishes. Again the moment of considering- the moment of claiming peace- and we are more than conquerors, and victors through the grace of God. God’s peace is far more precious than even a priceless item of crockery, accidentally dropped by a helping child.

When a critical letter with completely-unfounded accusations came, the Lord’s Presence and power dispelled any resentment or desire for retaliation. Instead, one moment of quick prayer, ’Lord, help me to love’ and again God’s Spirit ministered love, peace and joy , befitting a victor. Not to our praise or glory, rather to the Lord’s.

I realised that the promise does not come out of a situation, but right in it. ‘In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.’ ( Romans 8:37 ) Right in the centre of a situation our Lord allows us to experience trials with the promise of victory. So we rely on the power of the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Jesus.

During our stay in Indonesia, kind Australian friends often sent food parcels. Our family particularly enjoyed vegemite. At this time only one small jar remained. My good Indonesian helper, Rukini, replacing plates in the cupboard, accidentally knocked the jar of vegemite with her arm. It crashed on the tiled floor, shattering into many pieces with vegemite oozing out of them. Knowing how we valued the vegemite spread, Rukini with tear-stained eyes looked at me apologetically.

In that moment the Lord’s peace and grace replaced any disappointment. I reassured Rukini, saying ’It was only an accident. Please do not worry.’ She smiled. If I had been intolerant or cross with her, I may have won my case, but lost a friend, spoiling my testimony that Christ is sufficient in all situations.

Our Lord never tests us beyond what we can manage. HE is always there to help.

Next day a parcel arrived from Australia, containing a large, well-wrapped jar of vegemite. How gracious is our Lord.

No wonder He allows tests and trials in our daily living, so that we can say, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.’

Victory is God’s reward to all who, resisting satan, trust the Lord in every situation.