Finding Joy

Thou art the Lord who slept upon the pillow;
Thou art the Lord who soothed the furious sea,
What matter beating wind and tossing billow
If only we are in the boat with Thee!

Hold us in quiet through the age-long minute
While Thou art silent, and the wind is shrill:
Can the boat sink while Thou, dear Lord, art in it?
Can the heart faint that waiteth on Thy will?
–Amy Carmichael
Toward Jerusalem

 

Finding joy in the midst of a storm is never easy.  Like all other times in life, finding joy means remembering to be thankful.

So, at a time when I’m needing to find joy, here is what I’m giving thanks for in my life….

I AM thankful to be part of this season of life with my mom.  In spite of all she is experiencing, this is NOT what defines her life.  It is a blessing to walk this path with her, sometimes holding her hand, always loving her, always appreciating her endurance, mercy, and love for others.  This is the season God has given, I will “count it all joy”.

I am thankful for the cool, magnificent rain this morning.  I find myself lingering at the windows just a little longer, taking in the deep breath of air that spring is providing.   It’s a glorious, cloudy day.  I am in love.

I am thankful for friends who are walking alongside right now…praying, writing, calling, doing everything they know to do to help our family.  My heart swells when I think of any one of you.  I am undeserving.  I love all of you.

I am thankful for fuzzy socks.  My Mama laughed a little bit ago, (which is unusual this first week following her chemo treatment),  when she saw my black and red striped socks.  (…May I add, I think I remember her buying them for me.)  They, along with a cup of warm, creamy cocoa (made by my sweet daughters), in the morning, make me feel like all is right with the world- at least until I reach the bottom of the cup.

I am thankful for a new week.

“One thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus”

                                             – Phil 3:13-14

I’m trying to take one miraculous day at a time.  I want to make the most of every moment, and every hour.

I think this season will leave me changed forever…..and that’s not a bad thing.  I think I will be more dependent on my Father, more compassionate of the hurting, and more forgiving of the lost.

I’m walking forward and not looking back.

I’m here Lord. I’m waiting, and I’m thankful.


2 thoughts on “Finding Joy

  1. Tracy,
    This post was very encouraging to me, not because of the struggles of course, but to see someone else who striving to rely on The Lord in difficult seasons of life and still have the joy of The Lord. I praise the The Lord for where he has brought me and where he is taking me. It’s a comfort to know he sees the end of the road and he has it all taken care of. We are praying for your mother and The Lord to continue to give her strength. Thank you for posting this and also the post on Facebook about mothers and this world was great. Thanks, Jennifer

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