Joy Comes in the Morning
This recent past has held an excess of painful news. In the last half week alone I’ve been notified of several deaths of friends or of friends’ loved ones. There have been serious accidents, unexpected illnesses uncovered, surgeries hurriedly scheduled and/or performed.
The young are not spared. I know of critical depression occurring in all age groups. There have been falls off ladders, COVID strikes, two brothers of one friend lost in two months, a 61-year-old with a serious stroke, dementia horrors, hospice placement, an inherited disorder afflicting nearly an entire family of “kids” I grew up with, a woman who lost both her parents of unrelated causes within a two-hour span. It doesn’t seem to end and, in fact, feels like it’s ramping up. And this is just the tiniest tip of the iceberg.
My prayer list is long and getting longer by the day. Probably yours is too.
What is happening? Why is it happening? Is there hope for any of us?
We do have an enemy, as every Christian is well aware. We’re told by Peter, in 1 Peter 5:8, that this adversary “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (NIV). That seems an apt description to me. It feels like a devouring is taking place in these various attacks on us and those we love.
It’s felt that way to believers (and, I suppose, to non-believers as well) through the ages. Life is short and brutal in the larger scheme of things. David said, “Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow” (Psalm 144:4, NIV). Several centuries later James, in James 4:14, said of us, “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (NIV).
Many have voiced that same sentiment in the 2,000-plus years since. But this isn’t the way things were meant to be, and it isn’t the way they will remain.
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning,” said David (Psalm 30:5, AMPC). We can count on that – it’s a promise. The day will come when all will be well again, all will have been restored; we’ll no longer face the horrors of illness, death, separation, pain, inequity, fear, loss, uncertainty. Speaking of that day John, quoting . . . God (?), said, ” ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away’ ” (Revelation 21:3, 4; NIV).
Won’t that be the day?! I can hardly wait. We’ll see our departed loved ones again. We will never break a leg, experience cancer, have an accident or an argument, make a mistake, become estranged from those we care about. We’ll not grow old and there will be no death.
So . . . we’ll see you again, Mom, Kathy, Martin, Brian, and Tim. You will be well, Tara, Louise, Bill, Marsha, Ed, Mark, Dan, Linda, and Dad. Your injuries will be a thing of the past, Casey and Al.
Joy is coming in the morning.
9 Comments
Sherri
2020 was a really difficult year for everyone all over the world, and we all hoped the new year would bring happier times. So far, we’ve seen more strife and pain. It looks like you’ve had more than your fair share, my friend! It’s hard to watch the suffering of family and friends. Let’s all look forward to a bright and joyful morning!
Carolyn Karlstrom
The comment immediately below was meant for you!! I sure appreciate the time you take to read and respond. Thank you!
Carolyn Karlstrom
Yes! These have been some painful recent months and weeks for sure. To better days ahead!! Thx so much for your comments.
Beth
Beautifully written and backed up by scripture. So sorry you and so many have had such loss. 💗
Carolyn Karlstrom
Beth, you always make me smile with your kind words – thank you for these! Many blessings upon you!! I’m so glad YOU survived your recent threatening health scare(s) . . . ♥️
Trudie
Living in a fallen world is tough and grieving never gets easier, but thankfully , we won’t have to deal with it when we go Home! You have such a caring heart for others…♥️🌹♥️ Great writing ❤️
Carolyn Karlstrom
Thank you, Trudie. Yes, isn’t the thought of Home entrancing??? The day can’t come soon enough . . .
Nancy Hoppe
So sorry for your losses, and bad news. Heaven and the future have been on my mind.
I emailed you last week, I think i talked about that then. I am just longng to see my brothers,
my Mother, my daughter, grand daughter. qunts and Uncles and good friends who have passed on.
While we are here we can enjoy the gifts God gves us and try to make it a better place
for those we come n contact with.
ckarlstrom
Thank you, Nancy, for responding. Yes, won’t that be the day when we can see and speak to our departed loved ones again?! There are some I miss so much, as sounds true for you. I’m sooooo glad life doesn’t end for believers when we close our eyes in death. It’s just temporary, praise the Lord!! I didn’t get an email from you last week – I’m going to call you. Take care, my friend . . .