Joy Comes In The Morning
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations” James 1:2
There’s a whole lot of excitement in my family these days as my mom anticipates adding FIVE more GREAT grandchildren to those the Lord has already given her. One has already been born as my brother and sister-in-law welcomed their first grandSON in January. Lord willing, four more will enter the world before this year ends, bringing the total great grands to….ummmm….well over 30. 😉
Back in 2011, mom had 5 great-grandchildren born….all of them boys! Here they are in 2012, at Mom’s birthday picnic…aren’t they adorable? (This nanna is especially proud of #2 & # 4….)
Now, as sweet as these babies are, there was a good bit of discomfort felt months before they ever made their appearance. As much joy as they have brought to our lives, at least some of their mommas experienced various degrees of sickness at the beginning of their pregnancies (not to mention the pain before and during delivery). They say that nausea is a good sign of a healthy pregnancy. But, how can a lady be thankful for something that is preventing her from getting up in the morning without vomiting? How can a mother be grateful for something that causes her to run to the bathroom at the smell of certain foods? The sickness itself is definitely not a pleasant time, but the end result sure is. Somehow, keeping her focus on that bundle of joy seems to make the present sickness more bearable. Believe it or not, some mothers are thankful for the nauseous feelings…
When the Bible tells us to “count it all joy”, there may be some circumstances that God allows in our lives…some fiery trials even…for which we find it hard to be thankful. But, if God has allowed them, we can be sure the end result will always be good. James 1:3,4 goes on to say, “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” What is the good that comes from trials? Patience…maturity in our Christian life…preparation for further service….etc.
John 16:21 speaks of the joy that follows the pain of childbirth – “A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.”
When the trials of this life bring pain and even tears, I am thankful for the promise we have of joy in the morning…Amen.
Joy Comes In The Morning
If you’ve knelt beside the rubble of an aching, broken heart,
When the things you gave your life to fell apart;
You’re not the first to be acquainted with sorrow, grief or pain,
But the Master promised sunshine after the rain.
Hold on my child, joy comes in the morning,
Weeping only lasts for the night;
Hold on my child, joy comes in the morning,
The darkest hour means dawn is just in sight.
To invest your seed of trust in God in mountains you can’t move,
You have risked your life on things you cannot prove;
But to give the things you cannot keep for what you cannot lose,
Is the way to find the joy God has for you.
Hold on my child, joy comes in the morning,
Weeping only lasts for the night;
Hold on my child, joy comes in the morning,
The darkest hour means dawn is just in sight.
(William & Gloria Gaither)
“…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5
~ Rachel ~