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Happy Monday to you! My name is Jessica Hermann, and I'm excited to share with you each day this week. I previously served as the Collegiate Ministry Director at Great Hills Baptist Church until a little over a year ago when I moved overseas. My sweet husband is from Germany, and we met while I was on a mission trip with Great Hills college students in 2018. We married in 2021, and I moved to Bonn, Germany. This past year or so and all the changes therein have brought plenty of joy but also many challenges. Yet, through it all, the Lord in His kindness has taught me valuable lessons. So this week, I'll be sharing lessons that the Lord has taught me this year while living the expat life, and maybe I'll teach you a German word or two along the way!
Living in Europe means stumbling upon castles, Roman remains, and beautiful scenery as you merely drive around or walk through a city. I have had friends comment on my social media posts, saying things like, "Oh, to live a day in your life," or, "Your adventures seem so exciting!" These are momentary highlights. Honestly, most of my life in Germany has been feeling like a small helpless child who doesn't speak the language (yet!) and who doesn't really know how to do anything for herself. I had to rely on my husband for everything! Things I could confidently do in America, like find an apartment, open a bank account, or even use a public restroom are different here. It can be fun on a short trip, but when it's your everyday life, you can struggle and feel helpless or even stupid. Some days, it was fun and adventurous, and I could laugh about the things I didn't know. Other days, it was easy to despair and even question if we were right to come here.
For today, I want to encourage you with Psalm 42:5-6:
"Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God."
All of Psalm 42 is such an encouragement to my soul. The Psalmist is obviously in deep turmoil and struggling profoundly. In verse 3, he writes, "My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, 'Where is your God?'" The Psalmist is honest about his trouble and how he feels, and this honesty is refreshing. But then his faith in who God is–because he knows His character–leads him to preach a message of hope to himself nonetheless. "Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God."
Elisabeth Elliot said, "Faith does not eliminate questions, but faith knows where to take them."
May your knowledge of the character of God give you hope throughout life's trials.
Bis morgen! (Until tomorrow!)
- Jessica
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