May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.” vss. 5-6
Psalm 126
Most of us are well aware of the awful things that can happen in the course of a lifetime. We read about them in the papers, see the reports on the news, and hear the sad tales from our network of friends and acquaintances. We know all about dread diseases, sudden deaths, horrible accidents, and devastating break-ups, but for the most part we’ve figured out ways to insulate ourselves from the pain and sadness of it all. For years at a time we can go blithely on our respective ways, mostly carefree and happy, and then one day, it happens to us! And it’s awful! We imagine we’re the first ones ever to feel such pain–it’s overwhelming, and our laments know no bounds. Time stands still and sleep eludes us–friends try to console us but their words seem empty. It’s hard to imagine that we will ever feel joy again! It’s in that moment that people of faith make an astounding discovery. Out of the darkness comes a glimmer of light, and after crying our eyes out, we rediscover laughter. The psalmist was right. Those who sow in tears do reap with shouts of joy, and broken hearts are filled with hope. We emerge from the valley of the shadow of death with goodness and mercy as our companions and rediscover what it is to live and love.
Thought for the Day: How did I recover from my deepest pain?
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