Enough From You

On the shoulders of giants.....that is what my 11 year old stood on this weekend.  It was her first Bible Quizzing tournament.  She had been around her older siblings for the last few years, watching them, in amazement, memorizing huge passages of Scripture.  She was so inspired.  She watched all their quizzing tournaments.  She was at every practice.  She couldn't wait to be old enough to quiz. 

Then, this year, she was finally old enough.  Now there were 4 of our children in Bible Quizzing.  She took it so seriously, I couldn't believe it.  At least 5 or more verses a day.  Within a few weeks she had Galatians down pat.  Then she allowed herself almost 2 weeks strictly for review of every single verse of all 6 chapters.

The night before the tournament we reviewed with her again.  We were certain she would do well.  Are you allowed to encourage your daughter to "clean up" in a Bible Quizzing Tournament????!!! 

The day of the quiz came.....from the first quiz on, people knew she was a contender.  She jumped at every question and almost had a perfect day (2 errors for quoting from the wrong verses, but no points off).  She was doing so well!

The final quiz is for the top 12 quizzers.  There were easily over 100 kids there.  But everyone was quite certain she would make it in the top 12.  They started to list the top 24 first.  No mention of her name.  Then they went in to the top 12.....it got closer and closer to the top 5.  Her older brother's name was mentioned....then finally the top 2.  She was #2!  In fact, if it hadn't been for her 2 errors, she would have been #1!  That was when they mentioned not only was she #2, she was also the Rookie of the Day!  She did so great.

The top 12 quiz was so stressful to watch, but again, she did great as did our other son.  For years he had been trying to be top quizzer for a tournament, but always was beat out in the final moments.  Then, last year, he won, but there had been a mistake and he didn't get the award.  On Saturday, he did it - top quizzer of the day.  He had finally done it!

So, it was a big day for everyone.  But truly, at the end of it all, awards and medals are great, but the greatest thing is that they had the book of Galatians burned into their hearts.  The next book is Ephesians.  Starting today, they take that book on.  These books will be life-changing for them.

The day of the quiz meet was also the day of the craft sale.  I stood at the booth for half a day on the Friday and half a day on the Saturday.....only maybe 3 people came by?!  No sales.  Kind of confusing as you think you are doing the right thing.  You think these ideas aren't ones you thought up yourself, but then no success.  The kids worked so hard that week.  So I'm at a loss in so many ways, even financially, as we had to invest in some supplies, but I have to trust that there is some purpose in all of this that I don't see right now.

That same day we also had to pick up the van.  It had to go in the shop yet again for more repairs.  This time the bill was quite large.  But, not unlike our daughter's struggle, we are trying so hard to be thankful that we were able to get it back in such a short time to be able to enjoy a wonderful family get-together on Sunday and that we were able to be at the quiz tournament on Saturday.  We weren't sure how we were going to do all these things without the van.  So, it really is all perspective.

I find myself crying out to the Lord all the time, pleading our case to him.  In one very funny verse in Deuteronomy, Moses says to the Lord that he pleaded with him, "Please let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan..."  But God wasn't too happy with him and said, "Enough from you.  do not speak to me of this matter again."  I wonder if that is how God feels when I complain about my situation to Him.  "Enough from you!"

Earlier on in Deuteronomy it says, "He knows your going through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you.  You have lacked nothing."  Ok, ok....it's true.  We have lacked nothing.  I always tell my kids, "You've never missed a meal."  It may not be gourmet restaurant food, but they've never missed a meal.  Soup is becoming one of our standbys.  I still love it, but once in a while, I get, "Soup again, Mom?"  "Yes, enough from you,"  I should say to them.

Enough from you.  I need to learn from Moses and remember He's with me on this wilderness journey.   He takes me to the high mountains of Bible Quizzing where my kids experienced great success!  He also takes me to low valleys of broken vans.  Then He brings us to wonderful times of family fellowship!  The wilderness is a place of ups and downs for sure.  I can plead my case before Him, and I'm sure I still will, but I have to remember not to complain too much!  I have much to be thankful for.  Enough from me, then.