Faith with Works Brings Forth Miracles

by Nancy Lee

November 19, 2014

NJ could picture her mom dancing and chanting to the Little Engine that Could on her way to the testing center. It brought a smile to her face. She remembered all throughout her school days how her mom would chant to her, “I think you can, I think you can!” for encouragement. NJ found a sudden burst of energy. She studied long and hard for this test and was ready for any question thrown at her!

But as the timer began, NJ stared blankly at the first question. She looked at the timer in the right hand corner of her computer. It read 50:10. Fifty minutes and ten seconds was not enough time to answer fifty questions. It was like a minute given per question! Alright stay calm, skip it, and go to the next question. It was as confusing as the first one! Was this a test done in some kind of gibberish? Did she spend all that time studying for nothing? The seconds continued to count down. It was as if the walls were closing in and the timer was laughing at her. Her hands became sweaty and she had shortness of breath. Her head started to hurt and her brain was about to explode. Walking with a heavy load. This was her second time taking this test and she already had to postpone her student teaching once because it was the final thing she needed to pass in order to continue with her career. Wondering what my future holds. She studied so hard for this test, yet nothing looked familiar to her. She was so close to finishing her degree! Fearful, I will fail again… Although NJ hated giving up, and really wouldn’t mind taking the tests until she passed, the price to take the dumb Praxis was inconceivably expensive. What was her problem? Everyone else seemed to pass the test just fine. Until I hear you say… “Okay NJ, you know this. You worked hard for it.” She knew that the only way to get through the test was to pray her way through it. She quietly pleaded to the Lord. “Dear Heavenly Father, I need thy help. I feel like I have spent a lot of time studying for this test, but I am having a hard time right now. Please help me to focus, keep calm and to feel at peace.” As soon as she finished her prayer, she looked at her test again. Her prayer was answered immediately and she found the test no longer intimidating. I believe in you, I know that you will pull through. You have what it takes, to make it through the day. I wish that you could see, what I already see, I believe in you, just put your trust in me. She knew the Lord as well as her mom was guiding her along. I know if I would just look up, NJ’s anxiety left and she was able to think clearly. I can see I was given much. Although there were still questions, she didn’t know the answer to, she remained calm and did the best she could. Tender mercies were shown throughout the test as she miraculously finished with twenty minutes to spare. She had time to look back over her test before the time ran out. She wanted to make a mental note on what to study for next time if she had to retake it. She would google the problems and get the ins and outs of the answers as soon as she finished. Take all doubt that is in my head… She looked at her score. She passed! And bring me hope instead. She pictured her mom celebrating in the heavens dancing and cheering for joy. “I knew you could, I knew you could, I knew you could!” NJ left the testing center with a huge cheesy grin on her face. With the Lord’s help, another burden had been lifted. It was too bad that skipping at her age is frowned upon, because that was exactly what she felt like doing as the song played in her head. I believe in you, I know that you will pull through. You have what it takes, to make it through the day. I wish that you could see, what I already see, I believe in you. Just put your trust in me. NJ looked up at the sky with the sun shining brightly and whispered softly, “Thank you.”