Finding Joy in New Ways

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

Romans 8:28

Over the past 4 years my husband and I have heard a variety of responses to our struggle first with infertility and then during our wait for an adoption. Some have bordered on awkward as individuals gave all too detailed advice to aid us in our quest. Some unintentionally disregarded our reality with comments like, “Don’t worry, God’s plan is better in the end,” or “Aren’t you glad you haven’t miscarried,” or even “You’re young, don’t worry about it.”

Mostly, in the midst of our most painful moments, we have been blessed with friends who have met us in our suffering and then pointed us forward. Not by denying our grief or our pain, but by exalting God.

During one of our recent disappointments I let some individuals close to us know that it had not worked out. The responses I got were amazing. These individuals started by acknowledging what a great disappointment this truly was—they shared their own grief, shed their own tears.

And then they simply said, “But remember, God is good.” They didn’t make claims to know God’s plan, nor did they trivialize this disappointment by asserting that God’s plan would be better in the end and we just needed to remember that.

No, they simply pointed me, pointed us, to our Savior.

And this gave me hope. This gave my husband hope. This gave us an ability to move forward.

And we are so thankful.

One of the realities we have as Christians is that often God is most evident in times of grief or pain. His joy is present even with our smile has disappeared. We have reason to rejoice, even when circumstances haven’t gone our way. And this is where my hope is found.

Sometimes I have a hard time being joyful in what “will be one day.” The good news is, I don’t have to because of my present reality. With Christ all things, I mean all things, are possible. He is my hope even when life is hard. He is my joy in the midst of my tears.

By his power, and only by his power, I can see beauty in the midst of my grief.

Father, as joy seems hard to find and pain all too real surround us with your Spirit. As friends around us suffer, give us your words. Draw us each into your presence.  

Amy O