It’s a memory that’s burned into my brain. It was 1 O’clock in the morning and I was sitting on the kitchen floor exhausted and worried with papers and books laid out in front of me. So, how did I get into that mess?
It started in my Finance class. Let me tell you, all of us students loved our teacher. Not only was she very knowledgeable, but she was also down to earth. Best of all, she taught at our level. Through the years, I have had teachers who knew their class subject well , but had a difficult time relating it to their pupils. They usually ended up more frustrated than the students. Seriously, there was this one teacher who waved his arms in the air and yelled at us: “What’s wrong with you people?” Now some of the people of that class were honor students. Just saying.
This Finance class was in the summer, which meant it had less class days. The teacher told us that was considering giving us a take home test to free up more class time. Of course, all of us students became excited about it: “That’s a great idea. Let’s do it.” We all thought it would be a breeze since we would have our books to help find the answers. Best of all, we would make a good grade on it. Well, we were wrong. Very wrong.
After I got home with my test in my backpack, I spent some time with my daughter Sara, who was 2 years-old at this time. Then I did some things around the house before I cooked supper. It was early in the evening when I finally took out my take home test. I had planned to be done with it in about thirty minutes. That is until I glanced over it. Honestly , I couldn’t breathe for a seconds. This test was way, way over my head.
To better explain this, imagine a public swimming pool. On one side is a shallow end for kids and those who just want to get a little wet. On the other end is the deep end for those who like to use the diving board or are seasoned swimmers. This test was designed for people who were swimming in the deep end, which was so not our class. To me, I wouldn’t just fail the test, but I was also going to sink to the bottom. Now, are you thinking: “You had your text book to find the answers.” While that was true, the text book was designed to teach those studying Finance for the first time. There were no answers in it for the majority of the questions. So, why didn’t we just Google the answers? We didn’t have the convenience of it at that time. That sounds so primitive now.
Soon it was bedtime and I was halfway through the test. Tim and I put Sara to bed and then he went on to bed. Not wanting to wake them up, I went to the kitchen to hopefully get the test done before dawn. I went there because it was located in the middle of the house, so the light from it wouldn’t wake up anybody. To be honest, I don’t remember what time I finally got to go to bed. Also, I hate to admit it, but I guessed at some of the answers.
The next day when I walked into the class, I noticed dark circles under everyone’s eyes. Plus, it was eerily quiet. Some said they couldn’t finish the test. Another said that they had cried. We all wondered why our teacher had given us this horrendous test. That was so unlike her. Surely this wasn’t on purpose. As soon as the teacher walked into the classroom, she apologized. “I am so sorry. I was in a hurry and didn’t realize I had given you all the wrong test.” You see, she was also teaching an advanced Finance class and had given us a test from it.
I have a few thoughts on this:
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that you labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV).
When we go through trials, it isn’t because The Lord made a mistake. It’s because He is trying to refine us and make us stronger. As you go through one, ask for His strength and what it is that He needs you to learn from it.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:05 (KJV)
Unlike my text book or any book by man, the bible will always have your answers. In order to find them, you have to not only read it, but study it as well.

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” James 4:14 (KJV)
As you read, I wasted time that fateful day. Except for spending time with Sara, the other stuff could have waited. If had started on my test hours earlier, I don’t think I would have been as stressed or tired as much the next day. So, use your time wisely.

We never received those tests back and none of our grades changed. I was actually thankfully to not see it again. I don’t there’s enough chocolate in the world that could cover the shock of that!