Full Circle

Wow. It has been almost 8 weeks since I last posted. I really can hardly believe it, but I have been thinking a lot about it. Several weeks ago tragedy struck close to home, and those of us who knew him lost a great friend. It seemed to me that it was really rather debilitating for so many of us. The loss of our friend, coupled with the pain of his family and all those he left behind, has been so sorrowful.

For weeks, anytime something that I would normally post about happened, I would feel a little bit guilty. I thought, "In such a painful time, how can I delight in such trivial things? How can I spend time enjoying each little snippet of life, when people I love are in so much pain?" I just couldn't bring myself to post about my daily joys for fear that the sorrow couldn't excuse them.

In this time of reflection and rest, though, I believe I have come full circle in my thoughts. I am sure that the daily joys are what we should treasure and hold most dear. On a larger scale, both great celebration and painful tragedy visit from time to time. But the little things that happen each day are my true treasures. They are what fill my heart. How can I not delight in these things and give thanks for the abundance of blessing that has fallen on me?

In life we have both sorrow and joy, but in both sorrow and joy we find the Lord. I will go to him for the strength I need in my trials, and I will praise him for the joy that he brings.

The LORD is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.

My heart leaps for joy

and I will give thanks to him in song.

Psalm 28:7