Summer is a time of projects around our house. The first one to check off the list was a roof. What seemed endless as we began really was temporary. It was all hands on deck for tearing off the old roof and putting the new shingles on the roof. We thought it would go rather quickly since it was such a small roof. Needless to say, we were wrong.
My husband did the bulk of the work, but the rest of us were heavily involved. Yes, I was up there too. I spent hours tearing off old shingles, putting down felt and cutting shingles. By the end of the first day, I hurt. By then end of the second day, every muscle in my body hurt. I hurt in places I didn’t know I could hurt. By day four, my hamstring felt like it was going to tear every time I stood up. My favorite was when my feet would randomly start to cramp up from extended periods of standing on a slant. As miserable as it was to move, I knew it was temporary.
The same is true with grief and sorrow. At times, it feel endless, but it’s temporary. This scripture reminds me that I will weep and mourn and that it will turn to joy.
20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. (John 16:20-24 NIV).
In the midst of pain, sorrow or grief, it is hard to see hope and the future. Not only do we have hope for what the future will bring, but we have a promise of joy. I find it helpful to do something when If feel stuck in sorrow. Prayer and leaning close to God, yes it’s critical. Physically moving and spending time with others who bring me joy is also critical. We need both. We need God, and we need each other to reclaim the promise of joy and remember that the pain, sorrow and grief are temporary. It’s time to call some friends and get together.
What are you doing to reclaim joy? Are you ready to reach out to others and start moving? What steps are you willing to take? Share your story here and breathe life and bring hope to others.