Joy Comes In The Morning

  Today was a much better day.  Tears are so healing.  Every once in awhile you just have to cry, no matter the reason.  Today was a day of progress.  Normally when something happens, it would take 2-3 days to get over it.  I would think and think and think about it and make myself sick being so upset.  By the end of the night last night after I had talked things through with God, I felt so much peace going to bed.  I know that all things work together for good to those who love God.  No matter what has happened or will happen, I know that God will take care of it.

  The older I'm getting, the more I'm realizing how hard it is to be a parent.  You have to do hard things, you have to do things you don't want to, things you never thought you'd have to do.  But you do it because it will benefit your children in the long run.  Sometimes you do things by accident or mistake.  You do things out of anger.  You do things and regret it later.  I understand that.  I'm not a perfect parent.  I've done things I wish I could take back.  I've said things I didn't mean.  I thank God for forgiveness.  I thank Him for His grace and mercy that's renewed every morning. 

  Then you get to the place of forgiveness because of this understanding.  You forgive things that were done to you because you completely understand.  Was it ok?  Of course not, but I understand why.  That is a transformed heart.  That is the change of God.  Hate, bitterness, and grudges are replaced with love, understanding, and grace.  And you're better for it.  No more chains weighing you down.  No more dark hole in your heart consuming your peace and joy.  And you let it go.  You let it go because God let it go for you.  He forgives you for the same things you have forgiven others.  Forgiveness is freedom.

  Then joy comes in the morning.  You wake up refreshed and renewed.  You wake up ready to take the next step.  You look forward to what God is going to do next.  The spark in your heart is ignited, that passion that you lost.  The consuming desire to do what is right and to fulfill your destiny.  So you take God's hand and you tell Him, "I'm ready when You are," and He leads you down a road that you've never seen before.  You have courage because the Lion goes before you.  There's no fear, just peace.  You don't know where you're going, but you know that God isn't going to leave you.  You know that His plan and His will are perfect, so you go.  Even if hard times arise, you know that joy comes in the morning.  Even when the waves are towering over you, you know that God will keep you safe.  Even when everyone is against you, the King is for you.  His love will never fail us, He never breaks His promises to us. 

  "You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night
But joy comes in the morning
And when the oceans rage
I don't have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me
Your love never fails"

- Newsboys

"Your Love Never Fails"

  If you had a rough day today, remember that His mercies are new every morning and that everyday is a brand new day.