When they walk through
the Valley of Weeping,
it will become a place
of refreshing springs.
The autumn rains will
clothe it with blessings.
Psalm 84:6
Have you ever been in the Valley of Weeping?
A wayward child. A job loss. Deep worries over making ends meet. And most profound of all, of course, the death of a loved one. Have you ever been in the Valley of Weeping?
As a pastor, I've walked with hundreds of people through all kinds of losses. All of the stages of grief sweep in and swirl around ... often for years. There's denial and bargaining. There's tears and depression. There's even anger and guilt as we look for someone to blame. (Guilt is blaming ourselves. Anger is blaming someone else ... even God.)
Yes, I've seen them all ... plus ... one curious emotion. Joy.
Have you ever seen it? Joy is the midst of loss? "Refreshing springs" even in the midst of a worldly famine. Families "clothe[d] with blessings"?
What provides for the rich harvest "rains" and joy? The previous verse answers it: "What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord."
"How does anyone do this without faith!" is a constant refrain of the faithful.
In a death, they know there's the promise of heaven. In a job loss, they know God has bigger plans. In a financial crunch, they know God provides.
It's still not easy. But it's beautiful.
In Christ's Love,
a guy who sees much
beauty and hope
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