A Parent's Job Is Never Done!

Reading:  Job 1,2
My Verse:  "And when the days of their feasting were over, Job sent for them to purify and hallow them, and rose up early in the morning and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all.  For Job said , It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed or disowned God in their hearts! Thus did Job at all [such] times" (1:5).

Parenting is such an amazingly wonderful, fulfilling, challenging, enriching, frustrating and yes, painful experience!  Oh, LORD God, I thank You for granting me the gift of parenting, for a gift it truly is!

The whole experience has been one of great wonder.  I have relished every moment of the journey - a journey that will never end while I am on this earth.

It is interesting how this relationship occurs over and over, and yet the experience is so very unique and special for each and every child and parent.  I was ever in total awe as I watched my son develop and grow.  It changed me in so many ways.

Mostly it made me so much more appreciative of You, LORD God!  I realized how much I needed You to guide me through this role of parenting.  The responsibility is so great, so vastly important!

I like this verse because it shows that Job took his role as a parent very seriously.  Even after his children were grown and had households of their own, he felt responsible for them. His concern for their welfare never stopped.

If he thought they may have done wrong "It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed or disowned God in their hearts" he would actually send for them.  He would have them come to his house so he could pray over them, offer up sacrifices for each one.

And he never stopped doing this.  "Thus did job at all [such] times." His children had a tradition of celebrating their birthdays at one another's homes.  It sounds like it was quite a celebration.  "His sons used to go and feast in the house of each on his day (birthday) in turn, and they invited their three sisters to eat and drink with them. And when the days of their feasting were over . . ." (1:4,5).  Seven sons meant this occurred at least seven times throughout the year.
And yet Job sent for them after each event, to pray over them.

Thank You, LORD God for this wonderful example of parenting.  Thank You for showing how very important parenting is and how our role as parents never ends.

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!