Story after story of sadness. Betrayal. Defeat. Heartbreak. Friends, acquaintances, family members. The trail of broken marriages seems to get wider and more traveled every day. My heart breaks for them all. In most circumstances, one person is willing to reconcile and forgive, to fight for the right thing. The other person is ready to bail, determined that the grass is truly greener on the other side. We are all so misled into thinking that marriage is the beautiful, perfect thing that comes easily and naturally. The truth is that marriage is difficult. By far the most difficult thing in which I've ever participated. Marriage is hard and messy and stressful. We aren't soul mates or best friends. We aren't madly in love and unable to imagine life without the other one. We do not often see eye to eye. Some days we don't like each other very much at all. What we are is committed. We have three children who deserve two parents. So we will try. Every day, we will remind ourselves that we are doing this for the kids. We will endure and struggle and hope for some happy moments. We will ask for the Lord's help as we honor our commitment to Him and to our children.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Sunday, December 8, 2013
A Call
This morning as I was reading in Isaiah, I stumbled upon verses that I have read before but just glazed over. Today, they jumped out at me as God provided new meaning for me in these verses.
Isaiah 54:1-3
Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.
Wow! How often do we talk about how we don't understand how so many folks who won't take care of their children can pop them out left and right and those who truly WANT children and can love them and care for them cannot. Here is that very situation described in God's Holy Word. This isn't news to Him! He's not up there shaking His head and wondering why this is happening. He doesn't see this as a new development in history. I love the next verse:
Isaiah 54:4
Enlarge the place of thy tent and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes.
To me, this is the very specific call to adoption. Even I the Old Testament, the Lord had to urge folks to open their homes to children. Now I am fully aware that the true, in depth, prophetic meaning of this passage of scripture is God speaking to the Israelites who have tried to continue to serve Him in spite of the many in their nation that turned away from God. He is saying that He will enlarge His kingdom by opening salvation to the Gentiles through Christ's redemption. But God has also shown me this morning, that it's surface meaning is also for our everyday lives.
When we expanded our family through the gift of adoption, this was not the scripture that urged us on despite all odds. We clung to the story of the woman whose oil and flour never ran out when she baked the cake for Elijah first - we had nothing at the time. We were struggling financially in ways that some folks will never even imagine, but we gave our home (it's all we had to give!) to God first and He provided for us in unthinkable ways. Our "oil and meal" never ran dry. There was always enough for what we needed.
At that time, this specific call to adoption from Isaiah probably wouldn't have meant as much to us. But maybe someone else needs to hear this call. Is God calling your to "enlarge your tents?" If He is, rest assured, HE WILL PROVIDE! Don't ever let fear or the financial aspect of adoption cloud this call. It's a step of faith like no other. Trust Him.
Isaiah 54:8
. . . but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.
Isaiah 54:1-3
Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.
Wow! How often do we talk about how we don't understand how so many folks who won't take care of their children can pop them out left and right and those who truly WANT children and can love them and care for them cannot. Here is that very situation described in God's Holy Word. This isn't news to Him! He's not up there shaking His head and wondering why this is happening. He doesn't see this as a new development in history. I love the next verse:
Isaiah 54:4
Enlarge the place of thy tent and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes.
To me, this is the very specific call to adoption. Even I the Old Testament, the Lord had to urge folks to open their homes to children. Now I am fully aware that the true, in depth, prophetic meaning of this passage of scripture is God speaking to the Israelites who have tried to continue to serve Him in spite of the many in their nation that turned away from God. He is saying that He will enlarge His kingdom by opening salvation to the Gentiles through Christ's redemption. But God has also shown me this morning, that it's surface meaning is also for our everyday lives.
When we expanded our family through the gift of adoption, this was not the scripture that urged us on despite all odds. We clung to the story of the woman whose oil and flour never ran out when she baked the cake for Elijah first - we had nothing at the time. We were struggling financially in ways that some folks will never even imagine, but we gave our home (it's all we had to give!) to God first and He provided for us in unthinkable ways. Our "oil and meal" never ran dry. There was always enough for what we needed.
At that time, this specific call to adoption from Isaiah probably wouldn't have meant as much to us. But maybe someone else needs to hear this call. Is God calling your to "enlarge your tents?" If He is, rest assured, HE WILL PROVIDE! Don't ever let fear or the financial aspect of adoption cloud this call. It's a step of faith like no other. Trust Him.
Isaiah 54:8
. . . but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.
Peace
This morning as I woke up to the beautiful snow I started thinking about how I was going to describe my excitement of the snow in a facebook status. Admit it, in this age of social media we all try to capture those really great moments in a few words to post on twitter or facebook that communicates to the world (or at least our network of "friends") that we love the life we are living. I came up with a pretty good status too:
"Beautiful snow, warm house, hot cup of coffee, my Bible, and glorious peace and quiet while all my babies are snuggled in their (or my) bed."
I did not, however, post this for 2 reasons: 1. The peace of this morning was my time spend in God's word which I admit with great shame does not happen as often as it should. 2. Those are the exact types of statuses that drive me nuts! They send out the message to everyone that our life is all perfect rainbows and sunshine. So I began to think of what a realistic status could be on this very same cozy, snowy morning. Here's the realistic version:
"My house is a wreck, the dishes and laundry are overwhelming. We're counting the minutes until I finally get a paycheck again (from maternity leave), and we're are in the midst of quite a bill juggling act to provide Christmas for our own kids."
I didn't post that either. God is good and He's providing for our family. Yes our house is a wreck and we do have stress and challenges in our lives. Sometimes you just have to choose to see that good and pick the peaceful moments. I am nothing special, but I am a redeemed child of God and despite my list of failures He provides me with "peach that passes all understanding" so that when I'm scaling Mt. Laundry or wishing my sink (and counters and table) full of dirty dishes would disappear or tripping over toys and fussing at my kids for not picking up their stuff or I can't sit on my couch because of all the junk piled there, I know that all of those things are a direct result of the abundant blessings God has allowed in my life.
"Beautiful snow, warm house, hot cup of coffee, my Bible, and glorious peace and quiet while all my babies are snuggled in their (or my) bed."
I did not, however, post this for 2 reasons: 1. The peace of this morning was my time spend in God's word which I admit with great shame does not happen as often as it should. 2. Those are the exact types of statuses that drive me nuts! They send out the message to everyone that our life is all perfect rainbows and sunshine. So I began to think of what a realistic status could be on this very same cozy, snowy morning. Here's the realistic version:
"My house is a wreck, the dishes and laundry are overwhelming. We're counting the minutes until I finally get a paycheck again (from maternity leave), and we're are in the midst of quite a bill juggling act to provide Christmas for our own kids."
I didn't post that either. God is good and He's providing for our family. Yes our house is a wreck and we do have stress and challenges in our lives. Sometimes you just have to choose to see that good and pick the peaceful moments. I am nothing special, but I am a redeemed child of God and despite my list of failures He provides me with "peach that passes all understanding" so that when I'm scaling Mt. Laundry or wishing my sink (and counters and table) full of dirty dishes would disappear or tripping over toys and fussing at my kids for not picking up their stuff or I can't sit on my couch because of all the junk piled there, I know that all of those things are a direct result of the abundant blessings God has allowed in my life.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
The love of family
I have been privileged in my life to have been blessed by many wonderful individuals. Two particular people touched my life in such a way that I hold them in my heart with same respect and love that I have for my own parents. As I reflect on my time with them, I feel a need to share what an impact they had on my life.
Jerry & Juanita Daniel impacted my life profoundly -collectively and individually. When I moved to MVNC's campus in August 1998, they appointed themselves as my surrogate parents. Jerry is my mom's older brother. I grew up visiting them on holidays. Mom and Jerry made an effort all through the years to keep their families close after their parents died. After all, they had been through so much together, losing a sister, brother & both parents.
When I made the decision to attend MVNC, Jerry & Juanita were a small factor in my decision. I had fallen in love with Mt. Vernon when my cousins graduated from there in the late 80s. I wanted far away from home (that's another story in itself & it had nothing to do with my parents), & I loved the Christian college atmosphere. I also liked the idea of having family members close by. Juanita had recently retired from college & knew the ins & outs. That alone was a comfort for my parents.
From day 1, they were in cahoots with Mom & Dad. They checked on me every time they came into town. They talked with Mom & Dad often to update them on how I was doing - was I eating? Did I look ok? How was I adjusting? etc, etc.
If Juanita was working, she took me to lunch. They drove in every Friday to pick me up for the weekend. I couldn't have survived without them. They loved me & spoiled me as if I was their own. From giving me a room in their house, to stocking up on my favorite pop & snacks - (Conn's potato chips, velvet ice cream, & Neff's brownies were always among the choices) for the weekend. They always delivered me back to campus on Sunday evening armed with food, snacks, & anything else they thought I might need throughout the week.
My first few months in Mt Vernon, Juanita "church-hopped" with me until we found a tiny little church in which we both fell in love. And so we fell into a cozy family routine: I'd come out on Friday evenings and be greeted with a delicious home cooked meal complete with brownies Jerry had purchased for me at Neff's, a local grocery store. They would eagerly listen to all that had went on with my week; we'd watch tv and relax.
Every Saturday I'd sleep in, and every Saturday, Jerry would give me grief that opportunity had coming knocking for me at 8am, but he'd had to send them away because I was sleeping my life away :) Juanita and I would always find something to do, shopping, taking walks around their farm, taking drives for ice cream, something. We'd have another smorgasbord meal on Saturday evening and then play a game of scrabble before watching the Gaither gospel hour. On Sunday's Juanita & I would go to church, come home to another great meal, and then she'd go to sleep in her chair while Jerry & I watched westerns and talked about family and community members from "down home". He'd tell me stories him, Joan, David, & mom - stories about m grandparents and his schoolmates. When he would get tired and go lay down, Juanita would usually rally about then, and we would talk about everything from books to her past and my future, to church, and family. We'd often watch home movies from their vacations or family reunions.
During that time, Juanita was my dearest friend and confidant. She did her very best to be my friend and stand in as my mother during that time. They even made me a part of Juanita's family - if they had to do something with her side of the family, they always took me along. Jerry used to tease Juanita and tell her to be sure and introduce me a HIS niece, not hers :)
If I was arguing with my parents, Juanita would listen, comfort, & offer her motherly perspective without criticizing me. If I wasn't feeling well, she came to campus to dr me. One particular time, I had a stomach virus during an awful snowstorm. They couldn't get to campus to take care of me, so Juanita called the school nurse, Nurse Tempe, to bring crackers & 7up to my apartment on campus.
When I fell down my apartment steps & severely sprained my ankle, they drove in to get me & take me home with them. When I couldn't manage my crutches very well, Jerry hoisted me up & carried me to the car claiming he didn't want me to embarrass him fumbling around like that. When the medicine i was given for pain made me sick, they took care of me in every possible way.
My parents rested slightly easier knowing Jerry & Juanita were there for me. because Jerry and Juanita were there, my parents were able to visit me at school. Jerry & Juanita always opened their home and looked forward to my parents' visits as much as I did.
Jerry acted tough and sometimes teased unmercifully, but he was truly a teddy bear. He loved me & I adored him. We didn't say it, because that's just not what we do in the Daniel family, but it was understood. When my car broke down, I called Uncle Jerry; when I locked myself out of my car, I called Uncle Jerry. He'd come into town just to get my old car & take it for tune ups and oil changes. He'd frequently check my windshield wipers, fluids, & brakes. When he had to spend a few days in the hospital, I'd go everyday after class just to sit with him. We had some of our best talks & visit in that short hospital stay. Jerry enouraged me in everything I did. He challenged me to be better than who I was. I loved Jerry every bit as much as I loved my own dad.
In reality, I could write pages and pages of the wonderful memories I shared in those 4 years. When I graduated from college, Jerry & Juanita were every bit as proud of me as my parents were. One of my most treasured possesions is the picture of Jerry, Juanita, & me at my graduation party. The week after I graduated, they moved back home, next door to my mom and dad. They were always eager to hear the tales from my first year of teaching. When Jerry passed away, he was planning a big trip for all of us for my first fall break.
In the time that Juanita stayed in Ohio furnace after Jerry passed away, we continued to spend a lot of time together. We shopped, ate, traveled, and talked often.
Now Jerry is gone. As i write this, I am laying on a cot in my precious Aunt Juanita's room at the nursing home as she is nearing the end of her earthly journey. I am so grateful for the opportunity to spend some last moments alone with her just like we used to do. Juanita will soon cross over into Glory and reunited with her loved ones that have gone on. I rejoice for her because her suffering is coming to a close, but my heart is aching because I miss them. It makes me sad to know that my husband and children will never know these two people that I hold so dearly to my heart.
My four years at MVNC were life changing on many levels. Jerry & Juanita Daniel rank high on the list of Mt Vernon highlights for me. I was given an incredible opportunity to form a special bond with my sweet aunt & uncle that is priceless. They were more than an aunt & uncle - they were friends, parents, & cheerleaders. For that, I am grateful.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
secure
When I moved into my house 7 years ago as a single woman, my daddy worked very hard to make sure that my house was secure. He installed new doors and locks with double key deadbolts, new windows, rewired the house, etc. It is so secure in fact, that I have locked myself out on numerous occasions. I had to make sure early on that strategic individuals had keys to my house to come to my rescue when I was locked out - invariably when I'm running late to somewhere.
For the past 6 years, I have had increased security at my house. My loving husband is very dedicated to the safety of "his girls" He is constantly checking locks and making sure our house is safe. I've accused him many times of OCD the way he checks the locks every morning and night.
This morning we were introduced to a new level of security. As he does every morning, Sweet Husband took my purse, keys, school bag, and phone out and started my van. He even loaded up all the valentine supplies that we had prepared for Anna's class and my class. He normally takes Emily to daycare, and I take Anna to preschool. Today was rare in that he left before I did. As his usual safety mind did, he locked the deadbolt on the way out the door.
The disadvantage to this sweet gesture is that Anna and I were inside the house with no key to get out. When you are locked out of your home, there is a distinct sense of panic. When you are locked IN the house, it's an entirely new level of panic! I turned the house upside down to no avail trying to find a key to get out. Since I’ve had to keep keys in so many places to get in, there were none in the house to get me out. Fortunately, I did get a hold of Gabe to come let us out of the house. There will be a key party tonight at our house to make sure all keys are in the right places INSIDE the house, and now that we are out of confinement, we’ll all have a good laugh about how only in our crazy life could we be locked inside of our own house. J
For the past 6 years, I have had increased security at my house. My loving husband is very dedicated to the safety of "his girls" He is constantly checking locks and making sure our house is safe. I've accused him many times of OCD the way he checks the locks every morning and night.
This morning we were introduced to a new level of security. As he does every morning, Sweet Husband took my purse, keys, school bag, and phone out and started my van. He even loaded up all the valentine supplies that we had prepared for Anna's class and my class. He normally takes Emily to daycare, and I take Anna to preschool. Today was rare in that he left before I did. As his usual safety mind did, he locked the deadbolt on the way out the door.
The disadvantage to this sweet gesture is that Anna and I were inside the house with no key to get out. When you are locked out of your home, there is a distinct sense of panic. When you are locked IN the house, it's an entirely new level of panic! I turned the house upside down to no avail trying to find a key to get out. Since I’ve had to keep keys in so many places to get in, there were none in the house to get me out. Fortunately, I did get a hold of Gabe to come let us out of the house. There will be a key party tonight at our house to make sure all keys are in the right places INSIDE the house, and now that we are out of confinement, we’ll all have a good laugh about how only in our crazy life could we be locked inside of our own house. J
Friday, January 27, 2012
My Dad is a super hero - no really, he is!
First let me say that not all of my posts will be incredibly deep and insightful - sometimes I just like to share the "adventures" of raising my daugthers
My dad is a super hero. Like most daugthers who have good dads, I think my dad is the best. I used to think of him as invincible. When I had to watch his life hang in the balance several years ago at a Columbus hospital, I realized, for perhaps the first time, that my dad was human. However, that didn't change his wonderfulness - he became even more precious to me when God worked a miracle and allowed us to keep him a little longer.
I know my dad probably isn't perfect, but I adore him and always have. Kathy does too. Even as married women, we know our Daddy is the real knight in shining armor who will always be there to rescue us to the best of his ability. Several years ago, when I was on my "I'm never getting married" soapbox (go ahead and take a moment to laugh - especially those who know how hard and fast I fell in love with Gabe!), I used my dad as an excuse: if daughters married men like their dads, I could never get married because no one could ever hold a candle to the man my dad was.
Now, while Gabe is not entirely like my dad, he shares traits with him that make him a wonderful man, and he's working on his Super Hero Daddy status in life. :) Like my dad, Gabe is compassionate, loves his family, and is strong in his convictions.
Kathy and I have always been classic daddy's girls. We were his princesses. He would right every wrong for us if he could. Until the first granddaughter came along . . .
Now don't misunderstand me, I still adore my dad, but the day my daugther was born, I was dethroned as daddy's princess. Anna is the be all, end all. Poppaw's Princess. Poppaw's girl.
And like we have always thought, Anna thinks her Poppaw is the best. There is nothing he cannot do. However, she takes this to a new level.
Poppaw is the best playmate ever. He chases, plays hide and seek, goes on safaris, dresses up, pushes on swings, takes walks - you name it, he does it.
If anything at our house breaks, her Poppaw can fix it (and usually he can!). She added to this last Christmas when she worried how Santa would get into our house with no chimney. Her solution: Poppaw would build her one! I shared the conversation with my parents and we all had a good laugh. I thought the matter was dropped until my dad set out on a mission to build her a pretend fireplace. We called and/or visited every story between here and Columbus to find just the write template for it. When a bulletin board set was found, my dad set to work. He built her a styrofoam fireplace complete with a chimney and an insert for the fire - because it wouldn't be realistic otherwise. Anna was thrilled. Poppaw did exactly what she knew he could do. That wonderful creation will continue to be a Christmas decoration staple at my house for years to come.
As Emily gets bigger, I am certain she will feel the same way about her Poppaw. She already adores him, and there just isn't enough Poppaw to go around when it's time for our Sunday dinner at Mom & Dad's.
Anna's newest development - if she has pink Barbie mouthwash, she should have blue mouthwash with Ken on the front. (I don't even pretend to know where she comes up with this stuff!) When I told her we couldn't buy it because they didn't make it, she proudly informed me that her Poppaw would find it and buy it for her. Of this, I have no doubt. He'll find a way to present her with blue Ken mouthwash :)
Because she is the queen, and my dad really IS a superhero.
My dad is a super hero. Like most daugthers who have good dads, I think my dad is the best. I used to think of him as invincible. When I had to watch his life hang in the balance several years ago at a Columbus hospital, I realized, for perhaps the first time, that my dad was human. However, that didn't change his wonderfulness - he became even more precious to me when God worked a miracle and allowed us to keep him a little longer.
I know my dad probably isn't perfect, but I adore him and always have. Kathy does too. Even as married women, we know our Daddy is the real knight in shining armor who will always be there to rescue us to the best of his ability. Several years ago, when I was on my "I'm never getting married" soapbox (go ahead and take a moment to laugh - especially those who know how hard and fast I fell in love with Gabe!), I used my dad as an excuse: if daughters married men like their dads, I could never get married because no one could ever hold a candle to the man my dad was.
Now, while Gabe is not entirely like my dad, he shares traits with him that make him a wonderful man, and he's working on his Super Hero Daddy status in life. :) Like my dad, Gabe is compassionate, loves his family, and is strong in his convictions.
Kathy and I have always been classic daddy's girls. We were his princesses. He would right every wrong for us if he could. Until the first granddaughter came along . . .
Now don't misunderstand me, I still adore my dad, but the day my daugther was born, I was dethroned as daddy's princess. Anna is the be all, end all. Poppaw's Princess. Poppaw's girl.
And like we have always thought, Anna thinks her Poppaw is the best. There is nothing he cannot do. However, she takes this to a new level.
Poppaw is the best playmate ever. He chases, plays hide and seek, goes on safaris, dresses up, pushes on swings, takes walks - you name it, he does it.
If anything at our house breaks, her Poppaw can fix it (and usually he can!). She added to this last Christmas when she worried how Santa would get into our house with no chimney. Her solution: Poppaw would build her one! I shared the conversation with my parents and we all had a good laugh. I thought the matter was dropped until my dad set out on a mission to build her a pretend fireplace. We called and/or visited every story between here and Columbus to find just the write template for it. When a bulletin board set was found, my dad set to work. He built her a styrofoam fireplace complete with a chimney and an insert for the fire - because it wouldn't be realistic otherwise. Anna was thrilled. Poppaw did exactly what she knew he could do. That wonderful creation will continue to be a Christmas decoration staple at my house for years to come.
As Emily gets bigger, I am certain she will feel the same way about her Poppaw. She already adores him, and there just isn't enough Poppaw to go around when it's time for our Sunday dinner at Mom & Dad's.
Anna's newest development - if she has pink Barbie mouthwash, she should have blue mouthwash with Ken on the front. (I don't even pretend to know where she comes up with this stuff!) When I told her we couldn't buy it because they didn't make it, she proudly informed me that her Poppaw would find it and buy it for her. Of this, I have no doubt. He'll find a way to present her with blue Ken mouthwash :)
Because she is the queen, and my dad really IS a superhero.
Job syndrome
Ever thought about how out trials & tribulations are really just "Job Syndrome?" When we think of Job, we automatically consider his losses. When we go through trials, we throw around the phrase "I fee llike Job, everything is falling apart." But there are some significant things to notice about the story of Job:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+1&version=KJV
"And the Lord said until Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is non like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth Go, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth JOb fear God for nought? Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his shouse, and about all that he hath on every side? thou has blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in tihe land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LOrd said until Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in they power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand."
Job 1:7-12
In verserse 13-19, in a matter of hours, maybe minutes, Job lost his servants, his animals, his crops, and his children. Each time a messenger came with bad news, the next messenger arrived "while he was yet speaking". Now I'm certainly not a Biblical interpreter, but as I read that, Job didn't have a chance to resond to one tragedy, or grieve, before the next one hit.
"Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground and worshipped, and said Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord h ath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not nor charged God foolishly."
Job 1:20-22
Two things really stand out to me:
1. God pointed Job out to Satan - Satan didn't go looking for him
2. After he lost everything, Job worshipped.
In chapter 2, God again points Job out to Satan. When Satan is given permission to strike Job's body, Job's wife advises him to curse God. Here Job says "shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" 2:10
So many times when we have prayed about circumstances, we start to see answers.When those answers turn out just the wya we wanted, our hearts fill with praise. And we even go so far to say things like "things are finally turning around"
What do we mean by that? We think our trials are coming to an end?! God is always working in our lives, and in those "turn around" moments we tend feel His peace and blessings a little more closely.
The bottom line is that Satan isn't going to take those blessings lightly. I Peter 5:8 plainly tells us:
"your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour"
God's blessings in our life do not make us exempt from Satan.
Satan is still tring to prove his own Job theory - he wants to prove that if he can push the Christian on hard enough times they will "curse God and die"
When Satan is allowed to pull the rug out from under us, God simply asks, "Do you still trust Me?"
That is not always an easy question to answer. Sometimes, we can lift our hands, and say "Yes, Lord, I'll praise you in this storm" and other times, we feel sorry for ourselves and wonder how God could possibly allow such troubles in our lives. Like Job's friends, we start to wonder what great sin we've committed that brought such destruction.
Sometimes, God has to knock us from our high horse and ask us in a whirlwind, "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?" Job 38:4
That's when we need to be like Job, and confess to God "I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee." Job 42:2
Do you know God can do everything? Do you know God hears every thought and cry of your heart? Do you trust Him?
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+1&version=KJV
"And the Lord said until Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is non like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth Go, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth JOb fear God for nought? Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his shouse, and about all that he hath on every side? thou has blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in tihe land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LOrd said until Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in they power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand."
Job 1:7-12
In verserse 13-19, in a matter of hours, maybe minutes, Job lost his servants, his animals, his crops, and his children. Each time a messenger came with bad news, the next messenger arrived "while he was yet speaking". Now I'm certainly not a Biblical interpreter, but as I read that, Job didn't have a chance to resond to one tragedy, or grieve, before the next one hit.
"Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground and worshipped, and said Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord h ath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not nor charged God foolishly."
Job 1:20-22
Two things really stand out to me:
1. God pointed Job out to Satan - Satan didn't go looking for him
2. After he lost everything, Job worshipped.
In chapter 2, God again points Job out to Satan. When Satan is given permission to strike Job's body, Job's wife advises him to curse God. Here Job says "shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" 2:10
So many times when we have prayed about circumstances, we start to see answers.When those answers turn out just the wya we wanted, our hearts fill with praise. And we even go so far to say things like "things are finally turning around"
What do we mean by that? We think our trials are coming to an end?! God is always working in our lives, and in those "turn around" moments we tend feel His peace and blessings a little more closely.
The bottom line is that Satan isn't going to take those blessings lightly. I Peter 5:8 plainly tells us:
"your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour"
God's blessings in our life do not make us exempt from Satan.
Satan is still tring to prove his own Job theory - he wants to prove that if he can push the Christian on hard enough times they will "curse God and die"
When Satan is allowed to pull the rug out from under us, God simply asks, "Do you still trust Me?"
That is not always an easy question to answer. Sometimes, we can lift our hands, and say "Yes, Lord, I'll praise you in this storm" and other times, we feel sorry for ourselves and wonder how God could possibly allow such troubles in our lives. Like Job's friends, we start to wonder what great sin we've committed that brought such destruction.
Sometimes, God has to knock us from our high horse and ask us in a whirlwind, "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?" Job 38:4
That's when we need to be like Job, and confess to God "I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee." Job 42:2
Do you know God can do everything? Do you know God hears every thought and cry of your heart? Do you trust Him?
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