Rejoicing in the LORD

God never moves without purpose or plan
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the LORD though your testing seems long;
In darkness He giveth a song.

I could not see through the shadows ahead;
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day;
Then peace came and tears fled away.

Now I can see testing comes from above;
God strengthens His children and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging more fruit I will bear.

 O Rejoice in the LORD
He makes no mistake,
He knoweth the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried
And purified,
I shall come forth as gold.

-Ron Hamilton

This year so far has been hard. Very hard. And I’m seriously ready for it to turn around. Good friends have moved on. People have died. My entire family was sick for about a month; I got sick twice. It seems like I just can’t wrap my mind around everything that I have to do, and so I constantly feel overwhelmed. I’m emotionally tired. I’m physically tired. I’m just weary. 

And yet, God is so good. I can still wake up in the mornings with a smile on my face and joy in my heart. I can’t explain it, but I often feel so happy and content for no obvious reason, and it’s wonderful! In the midst of people dying, several new children have been born. During emotional stress, there have been great friends to offer comfort and a listening ear. I’ve enjoyed some good road trips, wonderful visits from friends, plenty of work to keep me busy, and I’m surrounded by a family that keeps me laughing.

God is good, and I am truly experiencing the joy of His salvation. So while I wait for the rainbow that is promised after the rain, I will continue to trust in His sovereignty and lean on His promise that “all things work together for good to those that love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."