katie rose writes

The book of Job has been ruining me lately.  I've never really read Job's story before, so I am just constantly being blown away by its richness and how God has been using it in my life. As you know, though this probably wasn't on a felt board in children's church, Job had it all.  One could say he was very blessed.  He was blessed indeed.  Why? you may ask.  Because he was "blameless and upright" in the LORD's eyes.  Then, in one swift, fatal blow, he lost it all.  Was this because of sin? No.  Not at all, though his culture and his friends were telling him otherwise.  God was allowing Satan to try and test Job to prove that Job was not a faithful God-follower because he was blessed, but that he was blessed because he was a faithful God follower.  His relationship with God was not dependent on these material blessings, but it was contingent upon the blessing of knowing, communing with, and worshiping God.   We see this picture painted perfectly when

I'm spent. In such a good way.  I read a quote last night which said, "It is not our responsibility to FILL other peoples' cups, it's our job to EMPTY our own" (Andy Stanley).  And I feel like I have indeed been emptied this week.  I have barely allowed myself to have any time for myself (ie, I haven't worked out in a week and a half....and I'm SAD about it. For real).  Which probably isn't good, but thank the Lord for the weekend.  Even though I've got a take-home test which involves two essays to do today, I am still able to just sit in my bed for hours on end, interrupting the studying with good TV shows, blogging, writing, reading the Word, and just being.  It's really refreshing.  Yes, by tonight I'll have plans to meet up with at least one beautiful new friend, from Saudi Arabia (interesting fact to add here: the technical name for Saudi is KSA; who knew?).  But for right now, it's just me, Jesus, homework, music, reading, etc.