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 In modern day English, Yĕmiymah is the name Jemima (you know, like the pancake syrup icon, Aunt Jemima). Yĕmiymah was Job's first daughter after his restoration. Job was a gentleman in the Bible who was best known for undergoing extreme, personal suffering and affliction. He is described as being "blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil" (Job 1:1). He also is a good reminder that even "good" people have bad things that happen to them. God allowed Satan to test Job by taking all his wealth and earthly possessions (I read in my online meanderings that Job's wealth is estimated to be in the billions by today's standards). He also lost ten children all at once. Not that losing one child wouldn't hurt as much by any stretch - but Job lost ten. Ten of his children died in one day. Stop to think about that just for one second. Job lost everything near and dear to him (except his wife). Yet how did Job respond? He did not blame God (kinda like his wife would go on to do), but instead he boldly proclaimed: "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD” (1:21). But keep holding your breath. It gets worse.  Some time later, after this devastating loss, God allowed Satan to afflict Job's physical body. Not only had Job suffered outwardly by losing all he owned and inwardly with a broken heart from losing his children, now he would suffer topically in his human body with festering boils that covered him from his head to his feet. I think you get the point. But how did Job respond now? In a nutshell, he said to his wife: "Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” (2:10). Talk about super human. Could you do this? The story does have an ending we can try to accept as beautiful. The Lord ultimately blessed Job with twice as many possessions and exactly the same number and gender of children as before. Curiously, as the story ends, it is Job's three daughters that were named in the account with the first being Jemimah (42:14).  And this is our beautiful take away for the day! This word in Hebrew means "day by day." That has to sink into my soul for a moment. Of all the names Job could have chosen, he decided to name this first daughter: Day by day. Perhaps this was a reminder that amidst the whirlwind of life, the to-do lists, the ups and downs that we face each and every day, the many challenges and hardships, the rise and the fall, that we have a choice. We can choose to slow down and to take one moment at a time. We can be intentional about investing in what really matters: those we love. And if we are really wise, we can extend that same love by serving others. In a blink of my eyes, my children have grown up. I remember my daughter Elaine and her endless desire to help "mommy" with whatever I put my hands to. I can see William's young eyes and the sweetness of his heart and compassion. And there's toe-headed Geddy, his genuine smiles and how he mastered the art of bargaining at such a young age. And of course, Matthew, his laughter and how he loved to talk our shoes off.
These were my babies. To lose them all? To lose even one? I don't think so. Yet in God's majesty and sovereignty, He Himself modeled the giving. He Himself modeled the sacrifice. He gave a Son. His only Son. Some theologians believe Job's life modeled Jesus's in many ways both in sacrifice and suffering. Job never lost that final straw of hope despite all earthly circumstances. He accepted his lot in life and was ultimately rewarded for his faith and trust in His Creator. How he named his first daughter may be seen as proof of his renewal, a subtle message to himself and a reminder to appreciate, intentionally appreciate and be grateful for what he was given. So go hug your loved ones today! And remember that God gave you TODAY, God gave you THIS MOMENT. Stop and thank Him for the many blessings you have. Show gratitude from your heart for your life well-lived and dependent upon Him. The very last verse of the book of Job reads: "And Job died, an old man and full of days" (42:17). He was satiated and satisfied with his days, each and every one of them, the day by day by day of them all. May the same be said of us.  Side note: Yes, Rico is looking at me with his day by day look of "Where is my treat? I've been patiently waiting here. Are you almost done at that computer?!" Last thing :) I promise! I would like to consider Job's other two daughters in upcoming posts. Please stay with me on this as the power and beauty of restoration shines forth. It was this way for a man called Job, and it can be this way for you, too. For as much as it depends on us, let's find healing and the beauty that erupts from the ashes. Though the fig tree should not blossom
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