Her Faith Just Like Ours

DEBORAH, RUTH, ESTHER, ABIGAIL..., PICK YOUR PERSONALITY.

Jul 2, 2011

My Shoes...

“...Just curse God and die!”

Talk about setting your future on a couple of words! This is the story of how five words not only marred my image possibly forever but also took me on a journey I did not expect.
Listen, I know you might not want to hear what I have to say but I DO have a story. I know the picture my infamous words painted of me were ugly but for one minute... just a sec.... take off your comfortable, judgmental shoes and slip on mine.



The day that changed my life forever started as a normal day; laughter waffling through our compounds as my children prepared for the day. Today was a special day; my eldest son was throwing a huge feast for his siblings and although my husband Job had innumerable servants, I was never one to leave anything to do with my children in their hands. I love being a helpmeet to my husband; I truly do, but there was just something extra special about being a mother. The God of my husband had blessed me with 10 beautiful children; 7 boys who were my joy and 3 beautiful girls who were my laughter. Rather than spend my mornings tending our sheep, camels and thousands of other animals, my husband’s wealth provided servants and allowed me to spend my days with my children.

My Children...My greatest joy.

With my children all prepared and off to the feast, a certain quiet descended on the compound. It was a sweet silence and I immediately released a breath of relief. With them gone, I could finally take a step back and relax. I was going to nap for a while and then go see what Job was up too. After I was rested and preparing lunch, I saw man on a horse, visibly in a hurry rush into our compound and in a blink of an eye my life changed.

... “a messenger arrived at Job's home with this news: "Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them, when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you." While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: "The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you." While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: "Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you." While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: "Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother's home. Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."

IRAQ/


I was numb! It had to be a cruel joke; my daughters, beautiful and graceful were dead? On my hands, I could still smell the olive oil I had brushed into their hair and the shea butter I has smoothed onto their feet. No, this couldn’t be happening! My sons, tall and brave; spitting images of their father...dead? No! I could not...would not... believe this. I waited for Job’s reaction; actually picked up a rock with the hope that as Job slapped this servant for his cruel joke, I would stone him simultaneously for his outrageous boldness. It was when I saw my husband stand up with a wild almost feral scream of grief, ripping his robe in shreds that I felt it and knew in my heart that it was true. In one day, my life evaporated. As the grief rocked me, the last thing I remember seeing before slipping into the merciful darkness of unconsciousness was my husband’s head covered in blood as he used a jagged piece of a gourd he just smashed to shave his hair off.

To be continued...


(c)Inthemidstofher

11 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Now this is a modern day story and I'm loving the way you've broken it down

    I can imagine how the woman felt losing everything they had,even children borne for nine painful months,all ten? Men,ko easy.... So before I refer to her story in disdain,l ​​​am wondering how I would have reacted....?
    There are days I feel so hopeless that I've even told God I have lost all hope,if I can say such a thing to God,it means I don't believe in His word(Jesus) which brings HOPE to our lives. It's as weighty as saying spontaneously; "I curse God and die abeg cos he forsakes ‎​​me when I need help most".
    Oh God help us in the face of very excruciating conditions,may we not lose faith and become weary amen.
    Very nice story line :D Now this is a modern day story and I'm loving the way you've broken it down

    I can imagine how the woman felt losing everything they had,even children borne for nine painful months,all ten? Men,ko easy.... So before I refer to her story in disdain,l ​​​am wondering how I would have reacted....?
    There are days I feel so hopeless that I've even told God I have lost all hope,if I can say such a thing to God,it means I don't believe in His word(Jesus) which brings HOPE to our lives. It's as weighty as saying spontaneously; "I curse God and die abeg cos he forsakes ‎​​me when I need help most".
    Oh God help us in the face of very excruciating conditions,may we not lose faith and become weary amen.
    Very nice story line :D

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  3. Jeez this is deep..losing everything at once is indeed very scary..nice post,plz do continue soon..

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  4. Enybees-hub- Thanks so much for the encouragement! I had to really put myself in her shoes to really understand her. I have lost less and said much worse to God so be it far from me to judge!

    Didi- Thanks Man! Stay tuned...

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  5. I really really enjoyed reading this piece, and I can feel that the Holy Spirit does not want us to overlook Job's wife's story. The crazy thing is I just finished a study on Job last night, and it's amazing that I get to summarize the book with this fictional piece.

    God bless you, Inthemidstofher, and I pray a positive lesson comes out of your writings when you're done with Job's wife. Wow.

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  6. hmmm *deep sigh*
    The death of ten children in one fell swoop?!
    I cannot begin to imagine the depth of her anguish...
    My mom used to say that Job's wife said those words out of love, because she hated to see a man she loved so much suffer.
    I look forward to reading the other part(s) of this story as I am sure there would be personal lessons for me.
    Thank you for sharing.
    xxx

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  7. One can only imagine that woman's pain. True, until one wears the shoe, the pain might never be felt... So touching!

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  8. Gbemisoke & Dee... Thanks for reading and commenting! I am a mom to a baby n when he even trips, I almost lose my mind so I cant imagine what it must be like to lose 10 kids all in 1 day. I won't keep the suspense for too long, I will be posting reeeeeaaaaaallll soon :)

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  9. Makes my knees weak at the thought of this happening. May we never have reason to truly identify with this cos it's just too deep. I can't, no, I don't want to imagine such pain.

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  10. wow.. Truth be told iv not really given long thought to job's wife. But now,with this piece am thinkin of her,and her pain,her heartbreak..
    Ahh.
    Great insight .
    Thanku.

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