Rising to Challenges

In my church, the first Sunday of every month is testimony meeting. We have the opportunity to share with our fellow church members our faith in Christ; we call this our testimony. Additionally, we have no paid clergy. There is no pastor who preaches every week. All (usually) church members are given opportunities to give short talks on different subjects centering on Christ.

When my mom was investigating the church she liked a lot of things, but was almost angrily defensive or offended that she would be forced to speak in front of people. She told me, there is no way, ever, she would be able or willing to do something like that and she couldn't imagine joining a church that would make her do so. I thought it was a little dramatic, but I have no fear to speak in front of people. I taught middle school. Plus in my first year of being a member of this church I was asked to speak 10 times (highly unusual). So I thought her fear was misguided and silly, but if it is someones legitimate fear, I can understand that. Please don't ask me to go rock climbing again.

A few months ago my mom, who is now a member of this church, told me that she bore her testimony in church. I was surprised, but I don't think it should be a big deal, so I didn't make it into one. You can imagine my surprise today when she told me that she is going to bear her testimony every month to practice for the inevitable time when she will have to give a talk.

seriously.


It made me think of all the times when I thought that she would never join the church or not be able to deal with how much the church asks of its members and people said, "Oh you'd be surprised. Heavenly Father knows his children better than you do." Ok, yeah so that's true. But He can't possibly know my mom better than  I do. Maybe he knows your mom better than you do, but that's your own deal.

And here she is, bearing her testimony and probably secretly wanting to give a talk. It is amazing how we rise to challenges when it is for something that we love.