“Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” - God, Job 1:8
The past year and a half, my friend and "adopted" big sister Jerri has gone through more pain than I can imagine, including the collapse of her marriage and sudden death of her husband, who I considered a big brother, in addition to losing her mother to cancer. I have watched her go through so much, raising their teen and pre-teen children by herself and suffering more grief than anyone should have to bear. I have seen her work through her pain, yet still cling to her faith in our amazing God.
During this time, I have come to understand that the number 11 and strings of 1s have special significance to her, and God has often used this to remind me of her. I often "happen" to look at the time at 11:11, and it always reminds me of her. Sometimes I feel moved to pray for her and her family when that happens. Yesterday, I "happened" to look at my watch at 1:11:11 (that exact second), and today I looked at my phone at 11:11. Today, shortly after that happened, a modified version of Job 1:8 came to mind, which I believe was from God: "Have you considered my servant Jerri? There is no one on earth like her; she is blameless and upright, a woman who fears God and shuns evil."
Job also lost so much when Satan put him to the test, but he came out a stronger man for it, and God blessed him more richly at the end of the ordeal than before it. He even replaced everyone that Job lost. May the same blessings be true for Jerri.
Update: On the way home, I saw this:
I rest my case.
well-said, steven! bravo! :)
ReplyDeleteSteven,
ReplyDeleteJerri is my adopted little sister. Although I have never met you, I see from your blog that we feel the same way about her. Thanks, for writing this, for praying for her & the kids, and for loving her. She truly is a special woman. She was left to me by her mom (whom I loved) & sent to me from God. :)
Leslie
Steven, I love you deep, brother. I love you deep.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to find another person who loves and "gets" what Jerri has been through the last year. I love her dearly and this article really touched me deeply. Having walked a similar path some time back and still dealing with serious health issues, I just know that God HAS considered His servant Jerri and that she has NOT been found lacking. Jerri is blessed to have a little brother like you. Isn't it wonderful the way that God gives us adopted brothers and sisters who really know and love us more deeply than our blood brothers and sisters? Way to go, Steven! Thanks from all of us who care so deeply for Jerri! She is one of my heroines! Love you, Jerri!
ReplyDelete