Last week my devotion talked about the “test” we are in and how all religions mention it in some form. With Covid-19, election stresses, economic uncertainty, and racial strife, the year 2020 has been a real test of endurance for us. Psychologists talk of much higher rates of depression, family tensions, melancholy, etc. It’s a tough time for everyone.

So how might we best deal with all this? Where is the role of our faith to help us get through…to put a sincere smile on our faces? An African proverb says that elephant herds treasure the old elephants because they know where the watering holes are. This week I chose to go to our elders at RLC. I asked them what they learned from past challenges that have helped them during this difficult time — how the watering hole of deep faith and lived experience can inform us now. I thank  Maury Johnson, Renie Lellelid, Bud Helman, and Janet Romanowski for sharing their perspectives.

Maury

Maury Johnson served in Europe in World War II and spent nine months in the hospital with serious injuries. What kept him going was knowing that he had dozens of people in his hometown praying for him from afar. Then, as now, Maury said, “we can only live on a day-to-day basis and trust the Lord to guide us each day.”

Renie

Renie Lellelid served as a missionary in Madagascar for 31 years, raising children without TV or radio. She said her theme Bible verse was Philippians 4:11-13,

"I have learned to be content with whatever I have.
I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty.
In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed
and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

Renie finds expressing gratitude each day to be helpful. She has a page on her wall where she writes down things for which she is grateful. It is full of comments that she can read over and over again. She also emphasizes the importance of purpose. “Find your purpose,” she said, “because the Lord hasn’t taken you yet.” She writes cards and messages to family and others because “it takes the focus off me.”

Bud

Bud Helman served in the Navy in WWII. He talked of the uncertainty today. “Nobody knows what is going to happen. We can only live day to day. Without faith this whole thing would be even more depressing.”

Janet

Janet Romanowski came from the same hometown as Bud (Milaca, MN). Her key to sanity is keeping busy—and staying in contact with family and friends. Her mother trained her well during World War II when she taught her children to sew and cook—and play table games. Janet and Paul enjoy them now.

There are yard signs frozen to our lawns now that have an outline of Minnesota with the words, “In This Together.” We are. Our challenge in this test is to support and learn from each other. I am grateful for our elders who have a perspective shaped by time from which we can learn.

– Rolf Olson, Visitation Pastor

Prayer

Lord God of all time, you created the world and said that “it was good.”* But your goodness got distorted and now we live with the consequences. Over the years, by your grace, your people got through many difficulties. We thank you for providing your Word and providing elders who bless us with their wisdom and experience. By their example and our trust in you we pray that we might pass this 2020 test. Give us all patience. Give our leaders wisdom. Walk with us each day. Help us to live out the life lessons we have been taught in order to move safely through this time of testing. Amen.

*(Genesis 1:4,10,12,18,21,25,31)