Sorrow Turned Into Joy

Your Sorrow Shall Be Turned Into Joy

John 16:20

 I've thought many times about the disciples and the inward grief they must have experience after the Lord's crucifixion.  The pain of his absence, missing the one who showed to them and demonstrated on a daily basis  the love of God the father, walking, talking and eating with them. witnessing his miracles.    The Lord had so lovingly prepared his disciples for his departure telling them they  would weep and lament, but thereafter their sorrow would be turned into joy.  

About two weeks after Thomas's  passing the Funeral Home brought to me his brief case and  all of his belongings from his desk in a large box.  I set them aside for a couple days not wanting to deal with the raw emotions I was still experiencing, it was too painful.   Then a few days thereafter - I  went through his brief case and removed all his business files and folders.  It was then I came upon two unfolded white piece's of paper turned inward towards  each other, I separated  them and it was a poem titled -

"If Tomorrow Starts Without Me"

I believe he knew God was about to call him home, Thomas had indicated for the past couple months statements about his declining health.   As I was reading the poem the Lord made me realize this was Tom's way and love for preparing me and Myra for the inevitable, not thinking of himself (as always) but of us.  The poem is very lengthy and  beautiful......

 here are a couple stanza's that  comforted my heart . . . . .. ..

I thought of all the yesterdays,

The good ones and the bad,

I thought of all that we shared,

And all the fun we had

If I could relive yesterday,

Just even for a while

I'd say good-bye and kiss you

and maybe see you smile

But then I fully realized

That this could never be

For emptiness and memories,

would take the place of me

And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss some tomorrow

I thought of you, and when I did

My heart was filled with sorrow

But when I walked through heaven's gates

I felt so much at home

When God looked down and smiled at me

From His great golden throne

He said,This is eternity

And all I've promised you'

Today your life on earth is past,

but here life starts anew 

I promise no tomorrows

Because today will always last,

and since each day is the same way,

There's no longing for the past

So when tomorrow starts without me,

don't think we're far apart,

For everytime you think of me,

I'm right here in your heart.  ~

~

In John 16:20 the Lord told his disciples  "the world would rejoice but you will weep and lament and  be sorrowful"  but then concluded with this wonderful promise - " but your sorrow shall be turned into joy"   Can't you just imagine after the Lord's resurrection and when for the very first time  the disciples realized it was him and how their hearts almost exploded with joy.  All our sorrows will be transformed into joy and only for a little while will we weep and be sad.   Even though my frail  mind can't comprehend it ,  I believe it is so . . .. thank you Lord for your wonderful promise - you will- 

 turn my sorrow into

J O Y