I’m not sure what is happening today, but something is happening today. So many little details so intricately designed into my day today. And I love it! A random text, a random facebook message, a random email, and a random friend at the store. The email I’m excited to write about because it’s such a cool story, but that’s for another day. The random friend I can’t even remember the last time I ran into so that was super fun. The random facebook message... you get that story below. And the random text… well, I definitely started crying... #shocking
But also… TODAY I GOT BIT BY A MOUSE. Do you know anyone who has ever gotten bitten by a mouse? Now you do. You’re welcome. Just taking one for the team over here. Don’t worry, a quick call to my nurse mom and a google search and I don’t think I’m going to die. Though, there are a few terrifying options out there.
I know, I know…. How does one get bit by a mouse? According to google… it is very unlikely to get bitten by a mouse. And, good news, they almost never carry rabies. Though if by some off-chance I ever end up with rabies… I expect a Michael Scott Office style Fun Run Rabies Race For the Cure. Just sayin’.
So how does one get bitten by a mouse? I was trying to free the stupid little thing. He was in the chicken food. My attempt at rescuing a creature got me bitten. Of course, in hindsight, it probably would have been wiser to use the food scoop and not my hand... ah well, some poor adult decisions land you in jail... some get you bitten by a mouse. I suppose my decision isn't so bad in comparison. Unless i end up with Rat-Bite Fever... Someone may need to keep me off of webmd right now.
And it should also be noted that the barn cat failed me.
He has one job.
I had a friend message me this morning. You guys, I don’t know what is happening... I mean... I have some theories, because I love myself a good conspiracy or non conspiracy theory, but in the last few months I’ve watched the lives of so many people around me kind of blow up. I mean... I know I’m a hot mess, but I’m not the only one. Maybe there’s some comfort in that. I don’t know. But part of it just leaves me going, what the world is coming next? I kind of think the Lord is making us all work through our own crap at the moment. And in that I’m so encouraged. Because as I look around and see people struggling and suffering and just trying to figure life out, I see people digging in. I see people searching for truth. I see people trying so hard to find hope in Christ in the mess. And that's exciting. This morning was no exception.
I had a friend message me this morning. Her life is a struggle at the moment. And with each step of the way it just seems to get harder. This morning she was deep in the hard.
I recently read through the book of Job. If you are unfamiliar with Job, it’s a hard one to swallow. Job was a great guy. Living like he should, trying to honor the Lord. The Bible refers to him as “blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.” And Job had a good life. And then everything in his life goes to hell in a handbasket. Literally. You see, there was a bigger picture at play. At the beginning of Job, we read of a conversation between God and Satan that basically goes something along the lines of a proud Dad showing off his son and being challenged with:
“You always give Job everything he needs,” Satan replied. “That’s why he has respect for you. Haven’t you guarded him and his family? Haven’t you taken care of everything he has? You have blessed everything he does. His flocks and herds are spread all through the land. But now reach out your hand and strike down everything he has. Then I’m sure he will speak evil things against you. In fact, he’ll do it right in front of you.” (Job 1:9-11)
And challenge accepted. Can you guess what happens next?
40 chapters of uncomfortableness.
40 chapters of tragedy, of pain, of sorrow, of suffering.
You know what Job didn’t do? Run away from God. He dug in.
You know what Job 1:21 says? Job says…. “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord."
He lost his family, his land, his animals, his health…. Blessed me the name of the Lord.
What the?!?
Could you say that? You guys, I don’t know if I could. I want to be able to. But... That’s some tough stuff.
I was at a conference years ago where the speaker said something that has never left my head. He was talking about the blessed culture we live in.
I am blessed. What a blessing. Have a blessed day. Be blessed.
None of those are bad. But it's easy to feel blessed when life is going well.
He went on to say.... Really understanding being blessed is losing your 3 year old in a car accident and being able to say “I am blessed.” It is getting diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and being able to say “I am blessed.” It is things not going your way and still understanding that even in that, because of Christ… YOU. ARE. BLESSED.
I don’t know if I’m there. But I’m trying to be.
You know what happened in the end of Job? The Lord blessed the last part of Job’s life even more than the first. HE RESTORED everything to him and then some.
This friend that I talked to this morning. As she is telling me about her harder, I sent her Job 42… which includes the statement... “And the Lord restored….”
Guess what happened next?
She sent me a picture of her Bible opened to Job 42 with a message that said…
I LITERALLY was JUST READING THAT.
A perfectly orchestrated moment. The whole Bible and we were both on the exact same verse at the exact same moment.
God is good, friends.
It should be noted that I wrote all of this before getting bit by a mouse. I’m not sure where I stand now.
Just kidding. I’m actually laughing out loud…. Because seriously, who gets bitten by a mouse???
But also, the chickens follow me around now. So... I've got that going for me.