JOB

No, this isn't a post about my J-O-B aka WORK! Although, let me say, not working at the moment has been very nice because I have been given the opportunity to sit back, reflect, and really count all my blessings in my life even though sometimes I feel like they can be hard to recognize during stressful times. Did I mention that at the present moment, I'm sitting on my back porch, in the crisp fall air, smelling the fresh cut grass with a cup of coffee with an adorable two year old running around playing? Just counted five blessings right there in that last sentence. :) Wow, our God really is amazing if you just take the time to recognize his gifts.

Now onto what this is actually all about. The story of Job in God's word. Excuse my ignorance, but I honestly did not know the book of Job until recently. Don't get me wrong, I deeply consider myself a Christian and a Believer in Christ, but learning the word of our Lord was not emphasized as I was growing up. So, not only is this a healing process for me, but also a spiritual journey for me as well. And let me tell you, "diving" into His Word has been such an uplifting exercise for me these past three weeks. Just the other night, I asked Darren [my husband] if he knew the story of Job and he said it was one of the first things he referred to shortly after Asher passed away. WHAT? And why didn't he tell me this?;)

So, here's Job. This God-fearing man who had everything: a wife, several healthy children, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred donkeys, and many servants. I know in today's world it is VERY easy to get caught up on the tangible objects in life, but Job was the prime example of having everything a man could ever need or want and still was humble and praised our Lord with all of his heart. And then Satan comes in and challenges God to take away everything from Job except for his life. Satan believed that after God allowed these things, Job would surely turn his back and curse Him. God does allow Satan to do these things, but Job proves Satan wrong and bows down and worships the Lord. Job then went through a second test where he was covered from head to toe in painful sores, only to still worship the Lord. Wow, right?

Have you ever felt like Job in the sense that you had EVERYTHING you could ever need or want in life and it was suddenly just TAKEN away from you? I can safely say that I am nothing like Job [I have far more still than I have ever needed and wanted for], but in an instant that's exactly how I felt. It's funny how everything can seem perfect and then in a split second your world comes crumbling before you. That's how I felt in the moment when I found out our son was no longer living; that every being of myself was just ripped apart and that God was inflicting such pain upon our lives. God, can you hear my cries? Please, please, bring my child back!

Satan also came to me and wanted me to doubt our Lord--I prayed fervently for him to get out of my head. Just when I thought God was not listening or comforting me, He came to me and told me to look around. Look at the man beside you holding your hand through all of this, look at the healthy, living son that you do have, look at your friends and family praying for you and supporting you through this. He told me He loves me, no matter what. He told me I am going to meet my other angels one day and live an Eternal life. I have news for you Satan. You lost this battle, too. Once again, our Lord has prevailed.

John 16:33 NKJV:  "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

Jeremiah 29:11-12 NIV: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."