Friday, August 27, 2010

Today makes it a year...



Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing. {II Corinthians 6:10}

Sorrow was beautiful, but his beauty was the beauty of the moonlight shining through the leafy branches of the trees in the woods. His gentle light made pools of silver here and there on the soft green moss of the forest floor. And when he sang, his song was like the low, sweet calls of the nightingale, and in his eyes was the unexpectant gaze of someone who has ceased to look for coming gladness. He could weep in tender sympathy with those who weep, but to rejoice with those who rejoice was unknown to him.
Joy was beautiful, too, but hers was the radiant beauty of a summer morning. Her eyes still held the happy laughter of childhood, and her hair glistened with the sunshine’s kiss. When she sang, he voice soared upward like a skylark’s, and her steps were the march of a conqueror who has never known defeat. She could rejoice with anyone who rejoices, but to weep with those who week was unknown to her.
Sorrow longingly said, “We can never be united as one.” “No, never,” responded Joy, with eyes misting as she spoke, “for my path lies through the sunlit meadows, the sweetest roses bloom when I arrive, and songbirds await my coming to sing their most joyous melodies.”
“Yes, and my path,” said Sorrow, turning slowly away, “leads through the dark forest, and moonflowers, which open only at night, will fill my hands. Yet the sweetest of all earthly songs-the love song of the night-will be mine. Say farewell, dear Joy, farewell.
Yet even as Sorrow spoke, he and Joy became aware of someone standing beside them. In spite of the dim light, they sensed a kingly Presence, and suddenly a great and holy awe overwhelmed them. They then sank to their knees before Him.
“I see Him as the King of Joy,” whispered Sorrow, ”for on His head are many crowns, and the nail prints in His hands and feet are the scars of a great victory. And before Him all my sorrow is melting away into deathless love and gladness. I now give myself to Him forever.”
“No Sorrow,” said Joy softly, “for I see Him as the King of Sorrow, and the crown on His head is a crown of thorns, and the nail prints in His hands and feet are the scars of terrible agony. I also give myself to Him forever, for sorrow with Him much be sweeter than any joy I have ever known!
“Then we are one in Him,” they cried in gladness, “For no one but He could unite Joy and Sorrow.” Therefore they walked hand in hand into the world, to follow Him through storms and sunshine, through winter’s severe cold and the warmth of summer’s gladness, and to be “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing!”

Does Sorrow lay his hand upon your shoulder,
And walk with you in silence on life’s way?
While joy, your bright companion once, grown colder,
Becomes to you more distant day by day?
Run not from the companionship of Sorrow,
He is the messenger of God to thee;
And you will thank Him in His great tomorrow –
For what you do not know now, you then will see;
His is God’s angel, clothed in veils of night,
With whom “we walk by faith” and “not by sight.”
Streams In the Desert.

I found this and it confirms what I have been feeling in my heart this past year! Sorrow in so many ways but yet so much joy in all that Jesus has done for us and continues to do! It wasn’t until Joy and Sorrow were talking that they felt a presence near them! Jesus’ presence has been so near Ben and I this past year and that makes my heart be at peace!
I have learned a lot this past year and I know that I will be able to carry those learnings for the rest of my life!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for standing with us this past year in your encouragement, prayers, notes, packages and visits…keep it coming!! We have been truly blessed by you all! I am excited to see what the Lord is going to do in us physically, spiritually, and emotionally and so many other things Jesus is going to do!

Katie and Ben!

9 comments:

Syndal said...

thinking of you both today!

Dancing Sweet Pea said...

Thinking of you today and always. I pray for you and Ben often. You are such a strong woman. I really admire you.

Anonymous said...

Dear Katie, I am sort of speechless after reading your post today. I feel that you encapsulated your year with such profundity in your quote, there are just not words to describe how it affected me to read them. The words made me want to stop and worship. Thank you for your ministry through all of this, and for your words. Bless you! Connie from Living Water

Kim @ The Gab said...

Thinking of you today & praying!
A little something is on the way to you too :)

settingsofsilver said...

Katie, you have truly been and inspiration and an incredible example for all of us. May His Faithfulness abound in this coming year and May His Restoration overtake both you in Ben in everyway! Love, Sandy Coultas

Brenda said...

A year of joy, sorrow and blessings. Thinking of you a lot today. Prayers lifted up for you, Ben, your families and those caring for Ben. Good bye "one year mark"... Let's see what God has in store for the next year, and as we all know, God is GOOD!

Anonymous said...

Katie!! BEN!! Father holds you in the palm of His hands. There's no better place to be. I love you and am honored to be a part of you journey. The story reminds of the verse "Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning" With love, Marion

Anonymous said...

Wow. That is so powerful and beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing. I am facing sorrow now, not as big as yours but certainly there. And yes, it is with a man who will one day be my husband. Thank you, you have encouraged my heart.

Shelley M. said...

Thank you Katie for allowing us to be a part of this journey with you and Ben. We will continue to lift Ben up to the Lord in prayer. We will continue to pray that the Lord's steadfast love will never cease to surround and hold you as you are walking this walk along side and with Ben! Praying for the Lord to guide and lead you & Ben on the next steps you are to take! I will continue to pray also for all the desires of your heart to be fulfilled in Jesus name...Amen

Love ya,

Shelley