First United Methodist Church of Glendale

2 days ago

Dear Church Family,
We need one another and it’s important to stay in touch during challenging times. Even though we can’t gather physically, we can still gather spiritually. This is the tenth in a series of weekly e-devotions from church members or staff that focus on faith, hope, and strength during hard times. We hope you find them meaningful. This week's meditation is from Ann Nimlos.

Do you have a story to tell? If you would like to contribute to this series, please email Rebecca.

I used to get very anxious about tests, midterms, and finals at the University of Minnesota. If I did not know the material extremely well, I would become so anxious that I felt sick and had trouble even focusing on the material to study. During that same time, I was in a Bible study group, and the discussion was about worry. We read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and Philippians 4:4-9 and talked about how easy it was to say, “don’t worry,” but difficult to actually stop worrying. At the end of that Bible study, we all decided it was a good idea to pray and we would talk about it the next week. I realized I needed to set aside time to pray first thing in the morning.

My plan was to get up early and run to the top of the cliffs overlooking the Mississippi River, find a beautiful green area to sit and read my Bible, and then run back to my room to get ready for classes. That night, I dreamed that I ran to the cliffs early in the morning and found a perfect spot. I lowered myself down four feet to a ledge overlooking the river and pulled out my pocket Bible to read. Suddenly there was a huge rattlesnake coiled and ready to strike! I lifted up my arms to try to get away; I was so afraid that the deadly snake would bite me. Then when I was most afraid, the snake bit me in the stomach! Surprisingly, it was okay; it did not hurt that much and I woke up from the dream.

Now awake, I remembered there were often rattlesnakes along the rocky cliffs, and it might be better to read some Bible verses in my room and then, to save time, pray as I walked the mile across campus to my classes. I decided to keep my eyes open for miracles or beautiful things and to sing the doxology as I hiked to class. The doxology, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow…” is a song that has always lifted my spirit and given me great joy. I realized that even when times were stressful or sad, there was always something to praise and for which to thank God: a stoplight turning green right as I got to the crosswalk, a sign in a small-town store that the socks I needed were on sale, and the invention of corrective eyewear so I could see these blessings! Sometimes I would pray for the people that I passed on the way to class. It was so much fun; they did not even know that I was asking God to bless their day. It made me grin.

The Bible study group decided that the rattlesnake in my dream was Satan trying to scare me away from praying, but I had already figured out that I could save time and pray while I was walking to class. I discovered that by thanking and praising God, praying for others and myself, I was filled with joy and happiness. Being thankful and praising God became a way to stop worrying so much. I started trusting God to give me insight about what I needed to do. I prayed that God would guide me to study the right material for the exams. I prayed for the other people in my classes and prayed that God would guide me in my choices. I found it much easier to study hard and did well in Pharmacy school, graduated, and found a job.

Now is a perfect time to thank God, and pray for others and ourselves. The COVID-19 virus is like the rattlesnake in my dream. If we do get the virus, it will be okay. God does want us to wear masks and wash our hands. However, if we pray for help, God will guide us through this difficult time.

Dear Lord, help us to be joyful, trusting you, praying as much as possible, and thanking you for everything! Amen. ...

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