(I am sharing an article Ellen wrote 16 years ago for the TRBC Times, along with a present-day update, for the final “You and God” column of the year as we enter 2025):
“My goal in school was to always get 100% on all tests. I expected my children to get straight A’s on their report cards, and they received an admonition if they didn’t. I wanted the décor in my home to be well appointed, and I have strived to make every meal nutritious and picture perfect.
Did I achieve all these goals? No, and some of them were a little unrealistic, due to limitations of time and energy (and maybe mental abilities). I don’t always excel in everything. I did well in the subjects that came naturally, but those that required a good deal of study were often put on the back-burner. The children did fine in school, and they are living productive lives. I’m still learning about nutrition. I am searching for the perfect menu that will allow you to eat all you want and lose weight!
There is still one goal, however, that I hope to achieve. It is to hear the words, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant” when I stand before God. I am striving to get to know Him better by reading His Word every day. By the help of the Holy Spirit, I am trying to obey His commands. It takes discipline and work to do this. It doesn’t come naturally. I am shy by nature, and it is hard for me to give out tracts or to speak to people about the Lord, but that is one of my goals this year. I hope to visit the shut-ins and widows more often. I want to be a good example to my children and a submissive wife to my husband.
All of these things are doable with the knowledge of the Word and the help of the Holy Spirit. We are given the command to “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matt. 5:48) On the final test, I want to get 100%.”
*************************************************
Since I wrote those words 16 years ago, many things have changed in my life, and each has brought its challenges. First, I was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer, after having my gallbladder removed. That involved a couple more surgeries and follow-up appointments for the next five years. I can report that I am now cancer-free. My husband was diagnosed with multiple myeloma just months after retiring from a full-time pastorate of 40 years. There are no cures, just monthly injections and chemotherapy in pill form three weeks out of four. Many other hopes and dreams have not come to fruition, so I just keep trusting in the One who said He would never leave me nor forsake me. He hasn’t taken all the pain and sorrow away, but He does give grace for every trial. Even the apostle Paul had a thorn in the flesh that he asked God to remove. But the answer came back, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” (II Cor. 12:9) The older you get, the more you long to see your Savior’s face.
I’m thankful for the good, sound Biblical preaching I’ve had all these years. I’m thankful for the Bible in my language that I have access to every day. I’m thankful for prayer and for answers to prayer. I am grateful to God that my husband and I have had the privilege of ministering for the past five years in two churches that did not have full-time pastors; and I’m grateful for our home church here in Indy that supports us with prayer and encouragement. I’m thankful for the dear friends who have gone on before me, and I look forward to seeing them again. I’m thankful that Jesus loved me and died for me on the cross, and that He rose again and is seated at the Father’s right hand. Amen! Only when I meet Him face to face will I be perfect. But I will keep doing the basics, knowing that “when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)
Join me as we begin a New Year in petitioning God with these short prayers that someone shared along the way: “Hear me” (Ps.4:1); “Save me” (Ps. 6:4); “Cleanse me” (Ps. 51:2); “Bless me” (I Chr. 4:10); “Teach me” (Ps. 119:12); “Search me” (Ps. 139:23); “Keep me,” (Ps. 17:8); “Help me” (Ps. 22:19); “Guide me” (Ps. 73:24); “Shew me” (Ps. 86:17); “Heal me” (Jer. 17:14) and “Receive me” (Ps. 73:24). (unknown)
“The little bird receives amazing strength when its legs are bent. We can be ‘strengthened with might’ when we bend our weak knees in prayer. (Eph.3:16) ‘For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.’” (Eph. 3:14) (copied)
“Day by day, and with each passing moment, strength I find, to meet my trials here. Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment, I’ve no cause for worry or for fear. He whose heart is kind beyond all measure, gives unto each day what He deems best. Lovingly, it’s part of pain and pleasure, mingling toil with peace and rest.” (Carolina V. Sandell-Borg; trans. Andrew L. Skoog)
YOU and GOD 