There is now a bedroom in the hallway that is uninhabited. Monday, we returned from dropping Mark off at college, walking past his bedroom initiated a flood of tears. Why? Because of the certainty of a thing being done. He is achieving, and growing, just like he should. So, why my emotion? Joy and Sorrow.
Joy: 3 John 4- “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” I feel a greater sense of appreciation for this verse today. I have a Heavenly Father who looks to see me, am I walking in truth? Am I being the child who will make Him joyful? I take great comfort in knowing my sons are walking in the light. Jesus compares earthy fatherdom (yeah, I made that word up) to being akin to our Heavenly Father in Matthew 7.11. To very loosely paraphrase: “If you…” are this kind of father, “how much more” is God like that?
God desires all of us walk in truth. To worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. And if I can take solace in the righteousness of my children, how much more joy can God when He sees us stepping in the light? May we have a renewed desire to please our Father!
Sorrow: I miss him. While I know his desire for righteousness, I also know that the adversary has spent thousands of years making men falter, fail, fall. What if I didn’t prepare him enough? In Luke 16, Abraham is besought to do more for the sinner’s brothers. Abraham’s response is “they have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them”. He has given us, his children, everything we need to be righteous. Well kids, you better pay attention to Him! You better take heed to the principles wonderfully written for our walk. And we will be equipped to stand before the throne. How? Through the place where joy and sorrow meet.
An excerpt from a song: “There's a place of thirst and hunger where the roots of faith grow deep. And there is rain and rolling thunder when the road is rough and steep. There is hope in desperation, there is victory in defeat. At the cross of restoration where joy and sorrow meet.
Cry out with me: My God, Because of Your child, and as You have promised; be with Your children.