Joy

I had the chance yesterday to experience true joy—the type of joy that you feel in your heart…the kind that makes you feel as though you are glowing…the kind that bubbles up from your feet and fills your entire soul. My joy was brought about by just one person who took the time to let me know what a difference hearing the story about our twin daughters has made in her life. I’ve never met this person, but she explained how she has been inspired to continue to trust the Lord even when facing difficult situations, because she has witnessed the peace and comfort that the Lord brought to my life even after the loss of my daughter.

After the death of Alysa, I never dreamed that I would be happy again. But I also realized that I had reached a place so dark and so low that my only way out was to put my trust in the Lord. I knew He was the only One who could relieve my pain. I put my trust in Him because I believe each and every moment of our lives occurs for one reason and one reason only: because He said so (Psalm 139:16). I may not like what He has planned for each moment of my life, but if I trust Him, then it doesn’t matter. I can live my life knowing that He is in control and that He will provide for me what I need to make it through even the most difficult of times.

No amount of money or material possessions can deliver the type of joy I experienced last night; only the human relationship. And after our relationship with God, the human relationship is what matters most. I Peter 3:8 says “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.” (NIV) Knowing that my story, my life experience, has encouraged someone else to serve the Lord brings true peace to my life. To know that my struggles as well as my triumphs have uplifted another human being makes it all worthwhile. That is why I’ve chosen to share my story—so that I may serve as an example of someone who has overcome a tragic loss not by my own works, but by the love, peace, and comfort of our great God.

In His Amazing Grace...