Making Sadness Sing!!!!

This was the title of my devotion this morning and I wanted to share some of it. I was disappointed that I had to miss church this morning to care for a sick baby at home but God provided a wonderful lesson that I have been left to ponder while all alone (only a sleepy 6 month old at home doesn't count... its quiet at my house).

I was reading from Mark 14 and here's what brought me to tears:

"He took Peter, James and John with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and horrified. Then He said to them, 'My soul is swallowed up in sorrow-to the point of death." Jesus later cried out, "Abba, Father! All things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will."

I was reminded of a couple of things. One that, Jesus was completely God but oh, how completely human he was. Just like I have done so many times, He cried out, begging the Father to take away this "cup". Thank you Father for not taking away the pain of the Cross. For by His wounds we are saved. It was the ONLY way. He (Jesus) was the ONLY way!!!! Thank you Jesus for surrendering to the cross for me!

Next, I was reminded of how grateful I am that God has not always chosen to remove the cup of pain from my life that I've begged Him to take away. Don't hear me wrong.... I don't welcome pain, distress or sadness but should it be for my good and God's glory..... I will endure. I've learned to pray (I admit that it's with hesitation), "Father if it be Your will, deliver me from sadness but oh Father, don't deliver me from YOUR glory".

The author of my devotion is a much more eloquent speaker than me (not that that's very hard to do) but let me quote a few words from him about this truth.

"Expect God to supply you with the strength to transform everything that comes to you, making it contribute to the central purposes for which you live. Expect God to supply you with strength. In the midst of your trials, don't whine to be released. Ask rather for the strength to make every sadness sing."

In Luke's account of the story above it says in chapter 22:43, "Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him". Sisters, the same God that supplied Jesus strength to endure the cross, wants to supply us with the SAME strength to endure our hard times.

Thank you Father for your GRACE and MERCY!!!!!