When I think about the story of Job, there are obviously many major themes that stand out to me...

• God and satan having a conversation about one of God's faithful
• Satan launching an all out attack on Job and his family
• Job's friends trying to offer "help" by trying to put God in a box
• God showing up and setting things straight about Who He is and Who He is not
• Job reaping bountiful blessings after satan's attempt to jade his heart

*(FYI: Since I don't like the devil so very much, I don't believe he deserves a capital letter at the beginning of his name!)

But another theme that shines through when we are blessed with the entire story from beginning to end is God's faithfulness to use Job's story as a forewarning to us, readers years later, warning us that satan is real and he desires to destroy our lives with havoc here on earth...You see, before I even got pregnant with Noah, Jason and I knew that the upcoming year would have major changes for us. I even spoke with my friend from our old church about it because even though I didn't know what those changes were, I knew I would need to step down from my responsibilities on the women's council. Jason and I had talked about moving, travels, possible job change. When I found out I was pregnant, I knew that would bring change but I knew it wasn't the specific change God was talking of. When Jason accepted a new job, we knew that was only part of it. Even when Noah was born and sleep was obsolete, it wasn't the change God had warned us of. Just like in Job's story, God knew that satan would try his darndest to destroy Job's love and passion for Him. We had Grace. We were given God's word, through Job's experience, to see that we live in a fallen world and that the devil will try anything to discourage us. No, that's stating it lightly...he'll do anything so that hell isn't an empty place with him sitting there all alone. So, back to our story, God graciously provided for us for the season passed and for whatever lies ahead. He blessed me with a healthy pregnancy. He blessed Jason with a new job working from home. Throughout the entire time we were in the hospital with Noah, God kept bringing to mind scripture after scripture to encourage us and lift our hearts. One in particular was that anything that is hidden will be brought to light. He is faithful. He exposes darkness. The Lord exposes the schemes of the enemy so that what he thinks is done in secret is really not a secret at all. There is no such thing as a secret if God is all-knowing, now is there? If we aren't living with our eyes and ears focused on Him, when a storm or tempest approaches or "comes out of nowhere" then we are not going to be able to experience first hand the Grace that is sufficient for us.

So, at this point, some may think that the tragedy is that Noah is no longer with us physically. And though I miss him in the deepest most tender part of my heart, I'd beg to differ that, once again, the tragedy is that the devil continues to attempt at coaxing God's children from intimacy with Him, and, unfortunately for him, he continues to get his head bashed in and reminded of his final destination and his choice to disobey God. Misery loves company, but it's not getting mine!