I am Job,
the One of Multiplied Loss.
Family,
friends,
employment,
possessions,
reputation,
health,
value,
self –
all are added on Affliction’s Abacus.
Feeble fingers
let them slip,
great blood-drops
to a parched and greedy earth.
Having nothing more to hold,
I lift hands to heaven,
free to worship He who
gives and takes away,
Empty,
yet
so very
Full;
for who can I hold but You?
Who have I ever been
but Yours?
Ashes to ashes,
dust to dust,
naked I came,
and naked I am cursed to remain;
but it is here,
in the naked places,
that I choose Your raiment.
It is here, in the place of emptiness,
that I choose Your food.
I am Job ,
the One of Multiplied Gain…
Meanwhile, Melody Muses... 
<> I am deeply touched by this. Thank you for speaking what is on my heart this morning.
Tears…
Aw… Those tears are counted as beautiful, and cherished by the One who made you and holds you even now. Let them fall – they are precious!
Thank you, Kristen! I am saddened at the depth of the losses you grieve- but will rejoice with you at your choice to worship anyway!
Wonderful poem Melody, i especially love the phrase “Affliction’s Abacus”.
Thanks so much for the feedback! 🙂
Excellent composition.
Thank you!
This is WOW-Wonderful.
Thanks Caddo. The tears flowed during the writing that’s for sure.
I should think they would have, Mel. It’s killer strong, ultimately victorious–thank You, Lord.
Amen and Amen!
Beautiful!
Thank you!
Whew! You’re just cookin’ with gas, aren’t ya?!
🙂 That explains the indigestion lately?!?
; – )
This is a really powerful poem, Melody . ..I loved it! Thank you so much!
Thanks Debbie!
Now which came first? The photo or the words? I could look at the photo all day and, beautiful as it is, I would be hard pressed to extract Job. Yet, when you bring the two together, I love that I can go” Oh yes, that is so right.”
Wow – thanks! The photo is usually first. My imagination supplies the rest…
melody, this is so profound…there was a time when I was feeling this way…and like you I learned my loss was rich gain…I love…who can I hold but You…it’s true…He is the only one who remains. Others will fail us or leave us bur nothing will ever separate us from His love and Presence. The Lord seems to reduce us to nothing, so that we can understand the rich gain from knowing Jesus. To God be he glory! thanks for sharing. Psalm 56: 8 …Put my tears in your bottle. Are they not all in your book?
Ooh, I so love that. Wise words, as always.. 🙂