As the name of my blog indicates, I spend a lot of time thinking about home. Of course, my Heavenly Home is the one that is eternal, so that’s where I need to lay up my treasures, and that’s the one I’m striving for. But in the meantime, I have been given this tiny piece of the here-and-now—this home on the edge of town, this family, this neighborhood—in which to serve Him. And, though this is in the earthly realm, I want the things that happen here to be investments in the Heavenly realm.




Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Rejoicing and Weeping


Rejoice with them that do rejoice,
and weep with them that weep. 
Romans 12:15

We have done a lot of rejoicing these past few days! 


Our son Ryan flew "home" for a visit (although we acknowledge that his real home is with his wife and children).  We rejoiced that he could be with us, even though our time was brief.  We tried to pack in some memory making moments as he went to and fro with wedding-related activities. 



We rejoiced at the marriage of Ryan's close friend Josh to his bride Sarah.  The marriage of two who belong to the Lord is such a blessed event, a life picture of the marriage of Christ to His church, His Bride.  The wedding was beautiful, and the reception was a delightful affair of gorgeous surroundings, chatting with friends old and not-as-old, yummy food, and lovely music.   







We rejoiced at one more graduation celebration for Kati, who wanted to have her family party when her brother was home.  More yummies (including homemade ice cream again!), more hugs, a mini family reunion...and more memory making moments.  Of course, a mama is always thrilled to have all of her children in one place at one time! 







So many blessings to celebrate...so many causes to be grateful...so many reasons to rejoice! 


But even in the midst of our celebrating, even as we rejoice, and "rejoice with them that do rejoice"...

...my heart is also heavy, and I "weep with them that weep." 

I weep with my dear friend whose husband has recently been diagnosed with metatastic malignant melanoma.  I weep for Joanie and Gene and their three adult children, as they contemplate the long- and short-term realities of this news, all the while making the conscious choice to be thankful!

I weep with my father-in-law who just celebrated his eighty-seventh birthday, whose health is failing in so many areas.  I weep as I watch this man who raised eight children and was a strong leader, a strong personality, a physically strong worker, become a man who is suffering and is weak and is dependent. 

I weep with other friends and family members who are dealing with emotional struggles, family issues, financial struggles, terminal illness, the weight of being a caregiver to someone who will not recover. 


The rejoicing and the weeping...both a part of living in this temporary world.  
"For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come."  (Hebrews 13:14)

So as my heart is torn, in the midst of the celebrating and the mourning, I lean upon His mercy, and trust in His grace, and pray for those who are suffering.

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."  (Romans 8:26)
Can it be that He will use the rejoicing and the weeping to conform us to His image?  (And isn't that what it's all about anyway?)

4 comments:

  1. Oh Cheryl, what a beautiful post! Yes, if only it really were just all roses, the thorns are painful. I often think about those who suffer the thorns without hope. I'm so thankful that I trust the One who holds me in the palm of His hand...

    *So I have an idea. You pack the cute cooler and I'll gas up the Gastron... Let's go!

    Blessings, Debbie

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  2. So true! I have been experiencing the same emotions this Summer, lots of joy and happiness with grief mixed in. It is so wonderful to know that this world is just our temporary home, every joy we experience here will be deepened in Heaven, and every grief will be dispelled.

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  3. I love seeing all your pictures, Cheryl. And reading your heartfelt words. I delight in the happiness you have known with Ryan's recent visit, with Kati's graduation and with Josh and Sarah's wedding. And I weep with you over the sufferings of others whom we love. I was just catching up on one of Ann Voskamp's postings and she had this sentence: "When we are in a valley, we're but in the valley of cupped hands." Don't those words paint a wonderful picture?

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  4. Your words spoke directly of my heart this week. Our main rejoicing right now is over the soon to be arrival of our 4th little blessing. However, we are also mourning as my brother and sister-in-law received news that their first round of invetro fertilization was not successful.

    I'm so glad that through the joy and pain we know that we are being refined into his likeness and that one day all of our pain will wash away and even our joys in this life will be like mourning compared to the greatness of knowing him fully.

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