“Recently I was quite anxious about a particular, painful circumstance in my life,” wrote Cynthia Heald in her book Becoming a Woman of Freedom. She said she prayed as she had never prayed before but remained anxious and unable to experience the peace of God.

There was a woman in the crowd following Jesus who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years. No doctor had been able to help her, but she had heard about the healing power in Jesus, and she believed. Her thoughts were simple, unorthodox.

If only our test of faithfulness would be preceded by a loud warning buzzer and a bright flashing neon sign, we’d always be faithful. But our faithfulness is tested when we least expect it just as it was for King Josash in 2 Kings 13.

I heard a story about my Grandmother Wehrman that occurred many years ago. My cousin, Lydia Knipmeyer, told in her final testimony in church how she had been converted as a young girl.

A five-year-old boy heard a missionary speak about all the people in the world who didn’t have God’s Word. He decided he wanted to pray for one of these language communities, so he began praying each Sunday afternoon for God to send missionaries to the Rapa Nui people on Easter Island. His mom and dad would smile each time they heard his fervent prayer.

Caroline came to Anita’s door begging to live with her. Her family had abandoned her and because of a nervous disorder, she was unable to care for herself. She walked the streets looking for “someone to look after me.”

Gail MacDonald, in her book High Calling, High Privilege, tells of preparing to visit a hospitalized friend who would be undergoing cancer surgery. Gail sat at her kitchen table and reminded the Lord of Jacob’s words: “I will not let you go, unless you bless me” (Genesis 32:26). She knew she could not be a blessing unless God blessed her.