We’re back from a few days in beautiful Missouri. While the world continued to hurt and groan and ache, while the heartache of lostness and desperation still filled the news channels, while the pain of living in a broken world still raged in hearts all over this planet, my little family laughed and told silly jokes and ate good food and watched entertaining things. Even today, while we smiled at each other across the room in the church that we love so dearly, while we joked with friends and hugged on our littlest nephew, more devastation in Baton Rouge and in dark corners all over the world, where horrors happen every day. Still, we giggled. Still, we talked about the future. Still, we could rest on a Sunday afternoon.
Life has felt a bit like a funeral lately. All of the news is bad and getting worse. Life hurts. Sin devastates in so many ways. I throw my head back and laugh, and then wonder if I should. But, then I remember that peace is one of His great gifts. And joy. Simple joy for living, for recognizing His great blessings, for breathing in His goodness.
Laughter isn’t a denial of all of the pain out there. It is a testament to kind of peace that only He can bring to a weary heart. Some days we will cry and some days we will roar with laughter. But on most days we’ll do a little of both, recognizing that the hurt never outweighs His goodness. The darkness never overpowers the Light. The devastation never kills the joy.
I hope you can look to Him today and find your smile. Your peace. Your joy. Because no amount of bad news is heavy enough to crush the good news of Jesus Christ. In Him, we have hope. We have peace. And, we have laughter.
Glad you had a fun, laughter filled vacation. As you know the girls and I are still on our get away to the cool mountains in New Mountains. We attended church yesterday at First Baptist Church Cloudcroft. We heard a great message on reconciliation (tell Chad with vintage music) while sitting with windows open, cool rain falling, smelling wonderful forest smells and hearing humming birds nearby. Hearts were heavy because the nearby retirement community of Timberon burned last week. 31 families homes burned to the ground, 79 structures. Many left their homes with few belongings and the clothes on their backs. They were evacuated to this village. So sad. The common comment is there were no no injuries or deaths. So basic. So important. We should remember to treasure our families and friends. Important to cling to Christ, his love, mercy and grace. To find comfort in His arms.
Welcome back! You were missed. It sounds like you had a lovely time together!