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Lenten Devotions

Day 15: Written by Stephanie Chukel

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“I lift my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121

Despite regularly attending church as a child, I never felt that I had a good understanding of the Bible and how to be a faithful Christian.  Shortly after my mother passed away, in September of 2010, Bethel announced the first mission trip to Haiti.  Still grieving, I was convinced that I needed to go to Haiti and also bring my son, Kevin, who had been suffering from Tourette Syndrome. The mission workbook asked us to select our favorite Bible verse. I was stumped as I didn’t have one. I perused Psalms and the above verse resonated with me.

We arrived in Haiti on Saturday and stayed at a complex; housing a school at one end and our sponsoring church at the other. By Sunday morning I had become ill from Malaria medications; unable to attend the three-hour church service. I lay on my mattress feeling that my relationship and understanding of God wasn’t strong enough for me to be in that church. When dizziness improved, I sat on the balcony overlooking the courtyard and church doorway. I began to read my Bible, listening to the music rising from the church. At one point I looked up and realized that behind the church there was a mountain. “I lift my eyes to the hills…” At that moment tears streamed down my face. I realized that I could seek God for strength with anything in my life. On Monday, despite still feeling ill, I somehow acquired the strength to help my Bethel team pass 700+ cement blocks for the bottom level of a church. That Psalm now had significant meaning to me. Months later I realized why that passage had initially impressed me.  In a culminating scene from the Sound of Music (a favorite movie), the Mother Superior quotes this Psalm to Maria. I had been hearing it since childhood.  Further proof that it was “my” verse.

During two additional trips to Haiti, I welcomed the view of the church and mountain. I keep a photo on my computer slideshow to remind me of that powerful day in my life.
 
Prayer: Dear Lord thank you for providing me strength in whatever may come my way. Help me to assist others in developing a relationship with You so that they may also receive Your strength. Amen.

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