(The Preacher’s Magazine 1993-94)

I like to receive those annual Christmas letters. I really do. They keep me informed of the happenings of far-off friends and fami­ly. Most of the writers try diligently to be realistic as well as informative. One can actually get a flavor of the life in their homes.

Occasionally, though, an unusual card or letter will arrive that surprises us, like the latest one our family re­ceived. It was from a family I knew quite well. After expounding on the year's accomplishments of his wife, child, and cat, the writer's paragraph began with saying it had been his "best year yet." True, he had lost 30 pounds and had purchased a new sports car. But that was because he and his wife had endured bitter mari­tal strife and a six-week separation. He had moved in with his parents who were struggling with the situa­tion and the lawyers involved were $2,500 wealthier.

Come on, I thought. Best year yet?

Isn't this carrying a positive mental at­titude too far?

Then the thought came to my mind on how Job would have written his annual Christmas letter with a posi­tive attitude. It might have sounded something like this:

Dear Friends and Family,

It has been a wonderful year around the Job household. The Lord has been good to us and has show­ered us with many blessings.

I have always been known as proba­bly the richest man in the East with thousands of camels, sheep, oxen, donkeys, and many servants. This year, though, I had a small setback when the Sabeans and Chaldeans swept down and stole my property and killed most of the servants. My philosophy about that is that I entered the world with nothing and shall leave with nothing. It is only money, right?

As far as my family goes, the wife and I have had 10 sons and daughters who are all good children. None of them take drugs or are disrespectful to us, but they do like to party togeth­er once in a while. In fact, at their last celebration, a tornado knocked down the house where they were and killed them. I don't think they suffered much, as it happened quickly. It was a devil of a wind.

My wife is her usual self. She has enjoyed the good life we have had to­gether, but she gets rather feisty from time to time. Actually, her last words to me, as she walked out, were, "Job? Why don't you just curse God and die?" Oh, well, you know how women can be.

Several of you have inquired about my health. I have been quite well, as we have always eaten well with the abundance of crops and livestock from which to choose and with some great servants working in the kitchen. I also get a great deal of exercise walking around my extensive land holdings. I am a little "under the weather" now. As I write this letter, I am having a problem holding the quill because my body is covered with boils, sores, and scabs. It is un­comfortable, but once I took off the sackcloth and put the ashes on, I have not felt as bad.

I am quite fortunate to have some of the greatest friends in the world. Three of them are with me now. They sat around with me for a week before they said anything to me, but I en­joyed their company. They are begin­ning to get on my nerves at present, as they are convinced that I have com­mitted some heinous sin that has caused my current misfortune. I be­lieve I will have to end their discussion of my value system soon and send them on their way. Our discussions have certainly been lively and enter­taining. I will miss their company.

Well, as good as this year has been, I am certain that next year will be better. You know my motto, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him."

May the Lord bless you and your family as richly as my family and I have been blessed this year.

Sincerely, Job