So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.
His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”
He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. - from Job chapter 2
Father I am grateful that you are with me. I so happily give you all that I am and while I don't always know what that looks like, I trust you. I trust your love and mercy. Thank you for withholding punishment from me on such a consistent basis. Your kindness truly leads me to repentance.
Today I am filled with grief and sadness. Shall I not accept this from you? Not that you are trying to teach me or that I may learn something, but that grief and sadness are part of the life you have given to me the same way the joy and peace are. I do not believe I am caught up in some wicked, divine scheme or that those whom I love are being 'taught a lesson'. I believe that this life brings joy and pain and that you are in the midst of them with me. Through my tears I can see more clearly the love you have for me because you are not distant but near.
Father take the pain and make it holy. Sanctify my brokenness. Please do so for those that we love so that in their pain they may see you more clearly and may know your presence to be with them even in the darkest times.
Thank you for Job's faithful words. They are a blessing today.
On a day like today, the joy shines forth more clearly. From my knees I can see what those things are and what a peace they bring. On a day like today the peace that passes all understanding means that much more.
Thank you that you are with me and those whom I love on a day like today.
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