“We want to have a testimony, but we don’t want the test.” I found this quote recently on a slip of paper from a fortune cookie at a local restaurant. I’ve been pondering it ever since.

Although there are a variety of definitions for the word “testimony,” Merriam Webster Dictionary has this one that I like best: proof or evidence that something exists or is true. We typically hear the term applied to people conveying “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth” in a court of law, or perhaps sharing stories with spiritual connections pointing to divine intervention in their lives.

But considering the term less formally, I think each of us has our own “testimony,” or possibly many “testimonies.” And returning to the fortune cookie quote, often a life “test” is what leads to a testimony, or the opportunity to learn that something exists or is true.

What “tests” have you encountered? Maybe you have been faced with a diagnosis (your own, or that of a family member). Maybe you have experienced unemployment, missed opportunities, the loss of a loved one, difficult or failed relationships, or financial struggles. Most likely you have not voluntarily chosen those tests, but they have probably caused you to discover that “something exists or is true.” You may have learned something important about your own resilience or abilities—or those of others. You might have discovered truths about the kindness of strangers or other people in your life, or the value of hard work. The tests might have led to changes in the way you spend or save money, relate to people, use your time, or perceive yourself or others.

What’s your testimony? We hope you’ll consider sharing that with us. We’ve created an easy way for you to do that by clicking here to access an online form. If you choose, your response will be considered for our next prize drawing—you may be able to win a free resource!

With autism awareness month (April) approaching quickly, we are also interested in hearing about the tests that autism has presented in your life, and how they have helped you to grow, or what you have learned as a result.

We wish you well as you face a variety of tests in life, knowing they can help you continue to grow personally and interpersonally!