CALL ME JOB

In the Land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job.  This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.  Job 1:1

God and Satan have a discussion and God allows Satan to test Job.  Now I have never understood this.  Why did God allow a blameless and upright man, who feared God and shunned evil to be so tested?  Be sure I am not blameless, have not always been upright, at times did not walk away from evil, but I do fear (trying to find wisdom) God.  Be sure that in the last seven months I have been tested and the testing will continue for a couple more. 

A number of weeks ago, I sent a message to our daughter saying:  Call me Job.

Her reply was:  You got a job?

I replied:  No.  Like Job in the Bible!

CALL ME JOB

My list of testing:

      2021

      November            I had a mammogram, it showed an abnormality, and an ultra-sound was scheduled for December

      December              I tested positive for Covid, very mild, but the ultra-sound had to be cancelled

                                Because I tested positive for Covid, my appointment to be cleared to have knee replacement surgery was also cancelled

                                    Bill tested positive for Covid – no symptoms

                                    Bill had a TIA (mini-stroke) on December 23 – blessed with no lasting effects

      2022

      January                 Finally cleared for surgery

                                    New furnace

                                    Knee replaced January 25

      February                Therapy for knee

      March                    Finished therapy for knee but was to continue exercises at home for a month

                                    Getting up from doing exercises and felt like a knife was stuck in my back

                                    Doctor diagnosed as sciatica – round of meds and an x-ray

      April                      Therapy for back

                                    Ultra-sound on my right breast – and a biopsy scheduled for June 16

                                      (I made the choice to delay because of a cruise in June)

      May                       Another round of steroids for my back and an appointment with a pain doctor – are you ready – June 27

                                    Slight tooth ache ended in a pulled tooth and appointment June 29 with specialist to see about an implant

                                    MRI on my back

      June                       Cruise, with son, grandson and his future wife and another round of steroids

                                    Biopsy – June 16

                                    Report – June 20 – Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

                                    Met with cancer specialist – June 23

And finally an AMEN.  The tumor is small and, unless the final test says differently, will be removed by a lumpectomy and follow-up treatment through hormonal therapy:  A pill a day to keep the estrogen away.  The specialists do not believe any lymph nodes are involved and they also do not believe I will need chemo or radiation.  My prayer is that they are right and that the final test backs them up 100%.  I feel so blessed!!

To be determined:

      June                       27th – What can help a few problems left by the sciatica episode?

                                    29th -- What will the outcome of filling in the hole left by that pulled tooth?

      July                       Date for surgery???

 

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Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm.  He said:  “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?  Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.

 

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?  Tell me, if you understand.  Who marked off its dimensions?  Surely you know!  Who ……. 

The LORD’s comments are in Job Chapters 38 – 40.  I love these chapters.  I can just see Job getting smaller and smaller as the LORD says, “Brace yourself…”

This is what I sent on our church’s prayer chain:

 

Dear Prayer Warriors,

I do believe I will change my name to Job.  The last seven months have included one thing after another and we had hoped we were finally seeing the end.  That is not the case.  An ultra sound and biopsy have confirmed that I have breast cancer.  We have an appointment with Parkview Cancer Institute this Thursday morning to discuss options and develop plans. 

What we need now is prayers.  Please pray that the doctors give us facts and information so we can make wise decisions.  Please pray for us to have strength and peace.  

How often do we say, “I am at the end of my rope.”?  Well, I want you to know I let go of that rope a few months back.  Decided why hang on a rope when I can allow God to hang onto me.  I have no idea what we will be told Thursday.  I do know this – God is holding us.  Family is beside us.  Friends are supporting us.  Prayers are being said.  I cannot ask for more than that. 

 

I was not there when the LORD laid the earth’s foundation, but I do know where the LORD has been for the last seven months and where he will be while my time of testing is going on.  He is holding me!  And when the testing is over, he will gently set me back onto a solid foundation. 

I don’t need to hold onto a rope.  Neither do you!  During times of trials/testing, step into the hand of God and let go of that useless rope.

If you have read to the end, thank you and sorry it got so long.

            Job

            aka Mary