To Steven at CaringBridge

Steven...thank you for your willingness to serve and the sacrifice you made and have been called to carry out. I don't know your religious beliefs but I know that men of all times have read the Bible and found it to be great in terms of literature and wisdom for living life with faith and hope. And with that as a preface, I would share what I think is one of the great stories of the Bible - the story of Job. We are always told of the patience of Job, and he certainly had that characteristic; but, I think Job offers more than simply the patient endurance of unbelievable personal tragedy. His was a more complex story of knowing he had not done anything to deserve his great loss. It is a story of taking positive action to live with hope and faith and integrity in the face of great physical and emotional obstacles. And discouragement from accusers who did not understand his firm hold on his own integrity in knowing that he had done no great wrong, but was upright in his life. I encourage you to make this your story too and to live your life as a good example to us all. And, when you have overcome and have found the blessing that is hidden in this life you are destined to lead; that you will look back and say with Job: "...when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Job 23:10.