Rejoicing is Harder than Mourning.....

Over the past couple of weeks, some dear friends of our have been in crisis mode. My friend's dad had his heart stop at home, had a nail-biting story of resuscitation, and a roller-coaster ride at the hospital. Miraculously (and I am not using that word lightly), he is alive, improving, and smiling. Every morning and night, Joseph has been praying for the whole family. Brian and I have found ourselves thinking about them and praying throughout the day. Our hearts (and eyes) have wept with them. What a joy to see our friend's dad doing so well and able to smile and talk to his family! It has certainly brought Romans 12:15 home in a big way. "Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn."

Romans 12 is Paul's amazing (and wildly convicting) summary where he covers every possible base of how believers are to act and treat one another. Why does he have to tell us to do this? Isn't it easy? Actually, if you really think about it, not so much. See, God's story for my dad was pretty different than his story for my friend's dad. My dad is gone. My friend's dad is here. Maybe it isn't so easy to rejoice after all. Think about it. Really, really think about it. Paul is telling the infertile woman to rejoice with her pregnant believing sister. He's telling the person who has just lost their house to rejoice with their believing friend who just got a bigger house. He's telling the single woman who longs for marriage to rejoice with her beliving sister who just married an amazing guy. He's telling the woman who is battling lifelong weight problems to rejoice with her believing sister who just celebrated losing 50 pounds. He's telling me, who hasn't seen my dad in almost 12 years, to rejoice with my sister who can still see hers. Not so easy after all, huh? Here's what has stunned me nearly into silence. ("Nearly" is as close as I typically get to silence...!) I AM rejoicing with my friend. I am truly grateful for the way God has chosen to spare her dad's life. Could it be? Has God worked his miracle in me to the point where my own pain and loss has been used to work all things together for good? Yup. I could mourn with my friend in a way no one can who hasn't experienced a crisis with their dad, and I am able to rejoice with her because God has worked healing in me. Glory! Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy be all glory......(check out the end of Jude for the complete version of this beautiful benediction.)