Looking Closer; Seeing Something New

Reading in the morning stillness, I stumbled across a verse I'd hadn't really noticed on my previous trips through the book of Job.  I've recently gained a fresh perspective in this oft-scary book. Much of that is due to me reading Job in the New Living Translation. 

Some folks like to bring up Job in theological arguments and some folks tip-toe around his story since nobody wants to be in his position. 

Sometimes we forget that Job was a real person going through a horrific time  He didn't have it all figured out.  Though he was confused about what was going on in his life, along with all the voices screaming their advice in his ear, he maintains his innocence.  He realized he couldn't and shouldn't argue with God.

This verse, this cry of Job's, arrested my attention and resonated in my spirit.

"If only there was a mediator between us,

someone who could bring us together."

Job 9:33, NLT

It's a recurring cry of the Old Testament, a collection of books that often highlights the need and the cry for the Messiah - the One who would be our perfect Mediator.

Again he calls out, 
"I need someone to mediate between God and me..." Job 16:20

It seems to me that Job is aware that something is up, that he's innocent and that this digression of his whole life is undeserved.  He wanted to plead his case before God, leading him to cry out for a mediator.  I believe this verse is pointing forward to Jesus and His role in the believer's life, leading me to believe that Job's situation is not as over-reaching as many think. 

Satan had accused Job and God allowed him to be thoroughly tested.  Even if God wanted to test us so thoroughly in this way, Job is teaching us that we now have a Mediator, making the situation a bit different than his.  We have a go-between.

People are sometimes afraid to believe God is really good, thinking they might be put in Job's situation at some point in their lives. 

God IS righteous and just; there is no question of that for me.  And surely there are trials in believers' lives.

These verses helped me see Job's situation in a different light.  With a Mediator in the mix, we have Christ's blood and righteousness covering us.  Christ, our Mediator, is standing between the accuser and Father God; He is even standing in our stead.

Here's a thought from the Matthew Henry Commentary:
We truly can't plead for ourselves, but we must put all of our hopes on having a Mediator and being accepted with God.

Seeing Job's heart-felt, heart-wrenching cry for a mediator made me wonder if I value my Mediator as Job would. 

The fresh gratitude for what Jesus has done for me is not something I anticipated finding in the book of Job and yet, there it is. 

Friend, if there's a book of the Bible that scares or intimidates you, I'd like to encourage you to give it another shot.  Pray, try a different, more modern translation, dig deeper and see what God opens up to you. 

Dominique

Pics are from the ever-changing kaleidoscope at the Arboretum.

Children's Garden

Amidst the last vestiges of summer, we took a field trip.  After checking out a Mineral Science Museum that was a bit smaller than in times past (ahem, my childhood), we headed over to the Children's Garden in the Arboretum.  This turned out to be the highlight of the outing.  There was beauty everywhere. 

The Blossoms loved it so much that they want to take their cousins there on a playdate next summer.

Someone used their imagination in this garden's design.  Everything was meant to be touched and played with.  This walk-through cave has stalactites, bats (that are not real) and an indoor sand area. 

So many little nooks for imaginative play!

Though I dislike fairies for the magic (and immodesty) they represent, I do love a good fairy garden.  All things miniature appeal to the Blossoms' in a little BIG way!

I wonder if these beans are edible?  (My feeding a family of six mind was jumping at the possibilities of the meals you could make with a bean that was this long!!!)

Though I couldn't share the pics of the uber-popular water table, complete with an old-time and working hand pump (too many joyous smiling faces), I had to snag a pics of Blossom3's boots... plop 'em on the ground and "dive" right into the water play.

I'm a sucker for Black Eyed Susans.

 

 

It should be noted that my Blossom were all set to wade in the Lily Garden.  It was NOT a part of the Children's Garden.  Hence, wading was frowned upon.  Funny, the black water was a major deterrent for me.  Not so for the Blossoms.  Apparently, Water = IN   

And the Rose garden... I LOVE roses!!! 

The Blossoms were ecstatic...

Sometimes the off-the-cuff moments turn out to be the best.



 

I love doing things with the Blossoms - even if socks get a little damp and little ones start to get tired.  It's worth it.  And thank God for a beautiful day.

 

 

Those Chickens Are Feelin' Judged

By nature of her superb poultry showmanship skills and knowledge, Blossom2 got roped into a Dual County Poultry Judging Team.  It's basically a competition where you compete at who would be the best poultry inspector... complete with lab coats and clipboards. 

She is soooooooo thankful that someone took the time to call our county 4-H office to try to track her down.  

After months of practice inspecting interiors and exteriors of eggs, raw chicken meat parts, and live hens, it was finally the day of the State Poultry Judging competition.  

As is the case around here when it comes to events, some Blossoms are here and some Blossoms are there.  

Blossom1 stayed home to do schoolwork.  

(Boring old lady.)

Blossom3 and Blossom4 were not interested in being quiet for hours upon hours, 

but they were 100% on board for some COUSIN TIME.  

Now Blossom1 had some serious P&Q (peace and quiet) for knocking out assignments and Blossom2 could be my sole focus at her competition.   That's a pretty cool thing when you're a middle child.

The competition had intervals of inspection, scoring, and note-taking.  I worked on the grocery list and weekly menu while watching Blossom2 and whispering to my fellow 4-H mom friend/Fair lady extraordinaire.  

(We don't usually get this much time to chat.  Fair week is WAYYYYYYYY too busy for that.)

The Little Blossoms ventured out with their cousins to the Arboretum!  It's an old favorite of ours and it's been so long since we've been there!  

Childhood is calling, my friends!  

The blue skies confirm it.  

Meanwhile, back at the Ag Arena, Blossom2 was busy securing First Place Overall High Scorer and First Place Poultry Judging Team!  

To Kentucky they will go for Nationals!!  

What a banner day!  Twas truly memorable!

But the chickens are still feelin' kinda judged.

Out with Us

Whenever you're in town, I always think you should make the most of it.  Get all your errands done!  See what there is to see!  So, when we were in town for a stellar book sale, I mentioned to my friend, Sue, how 'bout we hit up the Arboretum?

I'm so glad she was game, as it is one of the girlies favorite thing to do there.  

The pussy willows in this planter left me wondering if I had any "low spots" in my yard, so I could plant pussy willows.  Sue agreed.

I'm a horticulture lover.  I'm pretty sure it's a love, passed down from my grandparents, to my mother and now to me.  I couldn't get enough of the sumptuous blooms there!

Everything about the Children's Garden is entirely hands-on.  As a mama, I so appreciate this.  I get tired of telling them not to touch.

Blossom2, of course, gets a kick out of the cave, as did Sue.  I'm pretty sure this is because she has been spelunking a time or two.  

I can't resist the brilliant hues there, including the orange ones!  

Pansies, right along with daisies are such friendly flowers, so jovial and spunky.

And snapdragons are quintessentially springy, if I do say so myself.

In the water (again),

on the chimes,

on the rocks,

and exploring, this place is always full of surprises.

I was totally thrilled to discover the identity of the "bubble gum bush" from my childhood.  We never knew what it was, so we dubbed it thus because of its sweet and fruity aroma.  Now I'm busy checking online for bushes to add to our little micro farm spread.  I can't wait to smell that childhood fragrance again.

In the conservatory, I was so excited to finally discover what a hummingbird nest looks like.  

I hope to one day see one in the wild.

We adore these tiny fairy gardens, as there is so much scope for the imagination there.

Blossom3 put her scope of imagination to work with the funky building blocks.

\

The old-time pump and watering trough is always a favorite for the Blossoms.

This led to a later discussion on whether or not we could drill a second well and cap it with a hand pump, so the girlies have to pump all their own animal water.  

I'm all about wholesome upbringings and good old-fashioned hard work never hurt anyone.  

Even Blossom4 got in on the pump action, flexing her four year old pixie muscles to get the water going.  

And, that kaleidoscope.  

Ain't no kaleidoscope as cool as the one that mingles the purpley hues of pansies that only God can make.  Divine.  

Hope you enjoyed a glimpse into an outing with us... more pics coming soon!

Until then, keep the faith!

Dominique