“And he also had seven sons and three daughters.” (Job 42:13 NIV)
When we first met Job, he had seven sons and three daughters (Job 1:2 NIV). He lost his children soon after. For the next 37 chapters we watch as Job clings to God, and his three friends try to find reason for Job’s misery. Not until chapter 38 does God speak. After God sets things straight, he restores Job’s fortune, giving him “twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10 NIV). If God gave Job twice as much as he had before, why didn’t he give him twenty children instead of ten more? Because he never lost the first ones.
People live on in us.
Twelve years ago, one of my dear friends lost her 16 year old son in a car accident. At the funeral, I will never forget his father’s words. Their son’s namesake was his younger brother who died young. He said, in the audience sat three of his brothers, but he had four brothers. When people asked him how many brothers he had, he always said “Four.” Death didn’t break the bond of brotherhood. Then he said, “When people ask me how many children I have, I will always answer “Two.””
Job’s first 10 children died, but he didn’t lose them. No matter where he goes, or what he does, they are always with him. They live in his heart. God gave him twice as much as he had before, he gave Job 10 more children. Now Job had twenty children, not ten. God had doubled his portion.
Losing people to death is something we will all experience. At this point in my life, I’ve lost several loved ones I will never see again on this side of heaven. However, they are still a part of my life. The memories I made with them are still with me. My mother’s words still ring in my ears at pivotal times, reminding me of her presence in my life. The hug my nephew gave me the last time I saw him on earth sustains me in those moments of grief that overwhelm me. My college roommate’s sweet voice still wanders through my mind, bringing a smile to my face only she could bring.
Death is a part of life. Tomorrow is six years since my nephew died. I think of him everyday. I miss him. But I know, we will see each other again. His faith was in Jesus. His address has changed, but he still lives in my heart.
We lose the physical body, but we don’t lose the person. No one is replaceable. We only have one mother, one father. Dead or alive, their role remains the same. The footprints left on our heart by the people we love never disappears.
Question of the Day:
Who has left footprints on your heart?
Further Reading: Job 40-42 NIV, 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 NIV, Psalm 45 NIV, Proverbs 22:14 NIV
