Real Life

I was completely decked by a migraine for most of the afternoon and evening Saturday. Couldn't open my eyes. Nausea. A drill coming through my right eyebrow. Since I wasn't sure what I could safely take for pain with my new seizure meds, all I had was aspirin, cold compresses, and the luxury of retreating to bed where I could be tortured in peace.

It was in stark contrast to a wonderful morning spent with my daughter. The agony after the ecstasy. What a summary of real life!

As I prepare the last details to apply for a demanding academic program, I certainly don't know what the next two years holds for me. The way I've been feeling with energy and strength, no problem. But the migraine rattles my confidence. I'm so glad God does know what my future holds. The program only accepts a relative few, and I pray that God will make it clear through this selection process whether or not we're a match for each other physically, academically, and any other way I haven't anticipated.

I was able to get experience following someone who's already in the field this past week. How exciting it was. It gave me a real vision for what the career would be like, and showed me I actually could perform the tasks required.

When Paul says in his letter to the Philippians to rejoice in all things, and that he has learned to be content, he knows his readers understand he is writing from prison. He has learned to be content with chains on, after having been stoned, and flogged more than once for the name of Jesus. Surely I can bear the hours of a migraine, or the hours it will take of studying, getting up early, and taking tests.

Paul also says, I can do everything through him who gives me strength. When our precious Lord puts me in a situation, he gives me the strength not only to endure it, but to succeed, because (Phil. 1:6) he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Take heart, friends! He's working through everything. Even real life.