A Test Taken

The test began early Monday morning when I was preparing to leave for my dentist appointment to replace some temporary teeth with permanent ones. As I was gathering my phone, my glasses, and my keys, I noticed that I couldn’t find my wallet.

My heart started to beat fast, and the first thing I thought was, “I need to cancel my appointment”. But I told myself, “You can’t. Just drive carefully and go the speed limit.”

So that's what I did, but I was still nervous and looking around to make sure there weren’t any police cars near me. I started to take deep breaths, repeating this phrase; “Help me God to relax.” As I got closer to the dentist office, I started to relax, but I still was worried about my wallet.

So, there I was in the dentist’s chair waiting for the dentist. By the way, why do they call it a dentist’s chair? The dentist never sits in it. Ok, back to my story.

So, there I was sitting in the chair waiting. As I was, all the typical thoughts of losing your wallet, flooded my gray matter.

Thoughts like, “I need to replace my driver’s license, my medical insurance card, credit cards, and all my supermarket club cards.”

After thinking all this, I started to worry again. But all the sudden, I heard a voice in my head saying, “Have faith,’’ then I asked the Voice “This is a test. You are testing my faith, right, God?’’

After that chat, I let all the worry and stress fade away. I felt relaxed and happy. “It's just a wallet,” I told myself.

After the dentist, I headed over to my sister’s so she could drive me to the DMV to get a replacement driver license. We were there for ninety minutes. Most of that time was spent waiting for my number to be called. But I amused myself pretending I was playing Bingo. Every time my number wasn’t called, I would act sad and disappointed. Finally, my number was called, but I wasn't in a playful mood, so I was ready to leave.

That night, sadness and loneliness showed their ugly faces. They made me feel like I just lost a friend. I know it’s ridiculous to feel that way about a lost wallet, but that’s what the enemy uses, negative emotions to keep us down and away from God.

The Almighty, I think, allows the great deceiver to play with our feelings to test our faith, our trust and our love for our Heavenly Father.

For example, Job. God allowed satan to test him. The Good Lord told the prince of darkness that he could do anything to Job to test his faith, but the Almighty told the enemy, “…but on the man himself do not lay a finger." (Job 1:12)

After getting my temporary driver license, I didn't worry about losing my wallet. In fact, I started to think that I would find it. 

As the week went on, I would ask God, “Where is my wallet? Please let me find it.” But at times I would get frustrated and angry. Then I would tell myself, “It’s the enemy trying to make me fail my test.” So, I just showed the fallen angel my back and kept my eyes on the Almighty.

On Wednesday, I was talking to my niece, Sakura, and she told me that she felt that I would find my wallet, and she would pray on it.

The next day, I received a letter and in it, had a phone number and the words, “Found your wallet. Call me.’’

Early next morning, while I was having breakfast with my nephew, John, I told him about my wallet and showed him the letter. Soon after we finished our breakfast, we met up with a kind old man, who found my wallet while he was visiting his girlfriend. I thanked him as he handed me my wallet.

As my nephew and I headed back home, I thanked the Lord and felt that I passed the test.