Weeping and Rejoicing

The wisest man in the world has often been quoted through the ages, "There is a time for weeping and a time for rejoicing.  A time for planting and a time for harvest.  A time for tears and a time for laughter."

He wrote several other comparison phrases but you get the idea.

I'm referring to Solomon's writings today because they illustrate all our lives so appropriately.  And my life especially over the past three weeks.

Weeping and rejoicing have been my constant companions lately.  Not because I'm overly emotional.  (Although I can be that from time to time.) But because of the circumstances I've found myself navigating.  It's just part of being a pastor's wife and loving people God has put in my life.

A dear man in our congregation went to be with Jesus two weeks ago.  He was far too young to die by our estimations; only 43.  We'd been praying diligently for him to be healed from his illness.  God chose to make him whole by taking him to Heaven.  

I've wept with his wife.  His children.  His mother.  His siblings.  (All members of our church.)  I've wept with my own husband when no one else was around.  This was a very personal and painful loss for us all.

Our trust in God has been the single, stabilizing factor while all the normal questions swirl around us.

May I just say, there is never a suitable answer to the question, "Why?!"

I've wept with our precious extended family (Smiths) over the intolerable wait forced upon them for biopsy results for Sarah.  I wept again with joy when the text finally came, "No Cancer!"

Benign must surely be the most beautiful word in the English language!

I've rejoiced with my dad over becoming engaged.  He will marry a lovely lady named Christine on Valentine's Day.  And I'm so happy for him.

I wept on Mom's birthday.  It was the sixth one I've had to mark without her.

I've rejoiced with amazing women at a conference where I was privileged to speak.  Amanda Bock Hoggard, who worked with us for six years, planned the conference specifically targeting young women. 

Kristin and I got to fly up to NC together.  She sang and taught; I delivered three different sermons.  We spent time with several friends in the church where Amanda and her husband have been serving.

Nicki and Ashley were also part of our early ministry at GGC - they met us there.  I got to squeeze their babies; laugh at their stories; pray over their needs.  It was such a blessing.

I've wept with another precious young lady (Jasmyne) who went into the hospital with pneumonia - 40 days ago.  The doctors still can not seem to get her lungs cleared up.  She just wants to go home!

I've rejoiced with Kristin and Cody who last Sunday announced to our congregation that they would be welcoming a baby in July..................John and Joy's new baby, that is!  (Yep, the congregation had the same response.)

And those are just the stories I can tell you on the internet.

Weeping and Rejoicing!  It's the stuff of life.

Sometimes we have to work extra hard at just keeping our feet on the right path.  Our minds tracking in the right direction.  Our spirits motivated to rehearse the best.  Our hearts believing that easier days are ahead.

• The mountain top comes as surely as morning follows night!  
• Our God can be trusted!

These things I know and believe - they keep me balanced during all the weeping and rejoicing.

Blessings to you, Dear Reader.  May you too find balance in the weeping and rejoicing of your own life!