How Much is Too Much?

Along this journey that we are traveling together, the question no one wants to put into words is "How much is too much?". At what point can we no longer take anymore challenges, any more bad news or difficulties?

Ilene has been fighting pain around her kidneys for a few weeks. Well after another sleepless  night she went to the doctor again today. He started to give her a stronger medication until he saw the welts that she thought were spider bites. Come to find out, Ilene has shingles. Shingles are not contagious, except to people who have a compromised immune system (like Josh does after chemo). So our prayer is that she gets over them before the end of next week.

As I was writing this, last paragraph, our lead custodian, Alice came into the office in pain telling us that she just fell and landed on her elbow. As I write this she is headed for the emergency room to get checked out.

As I was putting my thoughts together to write this I was reading in the book of Job. I have studied the book of Job before and know that you can't ever stop half way through. You must read the entire book, and then reread the first two and then the last chapter.

Job was known as a blameless man, full of integrity. there was no cause for him to fall under the judgement or punishment of God. Yet as we read his story, we see every area of his life destroyed. One after another, 4 messengers bring news of great calamity. The loss of his children, the loss of his business ventures and then finally the loss of his health.

Jobs attitude when losing his children and businesses was "naked I came into this world, and naked I will leave. the Lord gave m everything that I had, and now He has taken it away, Praise the Lord. Job essentially said, I will praise the Lord for what He gave me, and I will praise Him if He takes it all away.

After Job loses his health (he is struck with boils all over his body), and his wife tells him to "curse God and die" (perhaps she loves him so much she can't stand to watch him suffer anymore) he makes a very unusual statement.

Job 2:10

Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” 

What did Job know about God, that we don't seem to grasp? What did Job know about the important things in life that we don't seem to understand?

Could it be that there is more to life then what we see, feel, experience and know? Is life more than the sum total of our bank accounts or processions or relationships? Could there actually be more significance to life then the sum total of our individual (or combined) accomplishments?

If there is a God, is He more than a distant monarch or disinterested dictator. Is God a random disciplinarian or sadistic overlord? Or could He possibly care about each aspect of my life (and yours). Could He really have a plan and purpose for me that has value and makes sense of the circumstances in life?

I believe Job knew the answers to these questions. I believe that regardless of how much we have to endure, there is nothing random or sadistic about the turn of events in my life. I believe that the experiences of life, the good, the bad and the painful have a real purpose that can only be understood from a perspective different then what most of the world sees.

At the end of Job's story, God gave back to him more than he started with. Not to reward Job for his suffering, but to show others that Job loved God. Job loved God not because of the stuff or the health he had, but Job loved God because God loved Job first.

So how much is too much? There is no such thing as too much, because God loves me and there is no such thing as too much love from God.

A comical bright spot in all this chaos --- we have 3 dachshunds. In all of the travels, the 2 females went into heat the same week. This weekend, both had their puppies. So now rather then 3 dachshunds we are proud parents of 8 dachshunds. When God turns 3 into 8, that is more than a double blessing. (Call us if you want to buy a dachshund - they should be ready for Christmas). Pictures coming soon.

P.S. Josh is home, slept in his own bed (22nd night in 3 months) and is having a good day. Pretty proud that his dog is the father of 5 puppies. He is still tired and weak, but looking forward to being home for a few days. Thanks for your prayers.