This afternoon after running some errands, I parked our van in front of our home and was going to indulge myself in a few moments of sorrow. Just then, a small girl emerged from a house across the street, a house I know to be filled with pain and sadness.
She was dressed in light purple snowsuit and bright pink boots. Her blond hair peeked out from her white woolen hat. She began dancing in the snow; the joy on her face and in her small body was palpable. I thought of the words of Psalm 30,
I praise you, LORD,
for you raised me up and
did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O LORD, my God, I cried out to you and you healed me.
LORD, you brought me up from Sheol; you kept me
from going down to the pit.
Sing praise to the LORD, you faithful;
give thanks to God's holy name.
For divine anger lasts but a moment;
divine favor lasts a lifetime.
At dusk weeping comes for the night;
but at dawn there is rejoicing.
Complacent, I once said,
"I shall never be shaken."
LORD, when you showed me favor
I stood like the mighty mountains.
But when you hid your face
I was struck with terror.
To you, LORD, I cried out;
with the Lord I pleaded for mercy:
"What gain is there from my lifeblood,
from my going down to the grave?
Does dust give you thanks
or declare your faithfulness?
Hear, O LORD, have mercy on me;
LORD, be my helper.
You changed my mourning into dancing;
you took off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.
With my whole being I sing endless praise to you.
O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.
And so I left the van and headed into my home, grateful for my husband and children and for Christ, who never abandons us.
