Pure Joy

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." — James 1:2-4

It's not easy to think of struggles as "pure joy," but it is reassuring to know that we don't have to go through the tough times alone. What a relief! I would definitely not be able to cope on my own. So it's reassuring to know that we are never alone.

A song that comes to mind is He Never Failed Me Yet. I don't have to go it alone. God is my strength and my fortress — beside, behind and before me, guiding me each step of the way.

My surgery will be tomorrow at 1:12 and I'll be home that evening, back in my own bed. Admiring the cards and letters from friends near and far.

And looking out at our Crape Myrtle tree that at the moment looks like a big stump with branches. But in just a few months it will burst into color and bloom with joy.

Our lives can seem like a dead stump of a tree at times, but God is able to take that old stump of my life and shine His love through me, even when I can't do it on my own.

What an awesome God we serve!