"Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning." Psalm 30:4-5 NKJV
There were many nights that first year after Erin's diabetes diagnosis that I wondered if I would ever get a full night's sleep again. Most of the time she and I operated from a place of exhaustion. We survived - and she graduated high school - by taking one day at a time. Those first four months were her last in high school. We had a goal: get to May. Day by day.
I must confess that God and I were not on speaking terms at that time. It was more like me yelling, crying out and asking what we had done to deserve this. Still He never left me because the Bible says we are allowed and even encouraged to bring our questions to our Maker. He can take our anger, our crying, and even in all that He can and does provide. He used the angels in my life--friends--to supply my needs for comfort, for encouragement, for stability, and for joy.
Because even in the middle of the night, when my baby girl was saying she was too tired to try anymore, this disease was too hard, and I held her hand and asked her just to hold on until the morning, I knew joy was still possible. I knew deep in my heart, past the weariness in my body and soul, that God was present and His will would be done. And that He loved me and my child more than I could ever dream or imagine. Somehow, somewhere, some when, there would be relief and joy.
Joy does come in the morning. The light of day does provide perspective for bleary bloodshot eyes. Just a thimbleful of hope can carry us into the day. That and a good cup of coffee!
"You have turned my mourning into dancing, you have stripped off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy. So my heart will sing to you unceasingly, Yahweh, my God, I shall praise you for ever." Psalm 30:11-12 NJB
