My wife and I had the splendid opportunity to visit one of our former students. She is teaching in a one room school in Vermont. What we observed was idyllic. Nestled in a rural environment surrounded by the glorious Green Mountains is a place every parent should desire for their child’s educational setting; a well-trained caring Christian teacher, modern media and a committed constituency provide an experience beyond what we had hoped to see. We are so very proud. Her parents must also share our feelings.
As we were returning to our home in Massachusetts I could not but reflect how our heavenly Father must feel about us when we excel. When we do good surely there is great joy in the courts of heaven. Alas, I also remember that Job was doing very well. God was very proud of him when Satan came and ventured that Job only did well because he was so blessed. I think we all know the rest of the story. We do live in a world that does not seem to relish good fortune and as the old saying goes, “No good deed goes unpunished.” It seems to be the nature of our existence.
But we should not forget the end of Job. After Satan has been proven wrong and was duly chastised Job spent his later years once again blessed. Even then he must have had moments when he missed his children. My sons are alive and well and make me proud on a daily basis and yet I do miss those little boys that chased each other around the house and squealed with delight when I came home. There is a sweet sadness even in good times. What must it be like to live for a thousand years?
Written by Roger Bothwell on February 21, 2012
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org