The JOY of the Lord is my Strength

Many of you know my Mom is dealing with a brain cancer diagnosis. One month ago today we were surprised to find out about these brain tumors and since then I feel like we have been on such an unexpected journey. Just this last week we had multiple doctor appointments and thankfully arrived on a plan moving forward. She will begin radiation treatments soon and we sure appreciate your prayers.

I wanted to share a sweet story that was so encouraging to me this week. At about my age My Mom walked with her own mother though a cancer journey. I’m not gonna lie there have been some teary moments where I looked in my my Mom’s eyes and asked her about those difficult days. This week she told me a beautiful story that is worth sharing.

She said one day after leaving her Mom’s house the sadness was overwhelming. (Insert me: I understand!!! Ha!!) She happened to be driving through a neighborhood and saw some little boys with an empty lemonade stand. She decided to pull over and order a cup. The price was fifty cents but she handed them a five dollar bill. They looked at one another a little disappointed, unsure how they were going to break the five dollars to give her change. She smiled and said, the five dollars is for you… and then she put two quarters in their hands. The fifty cents is for the lemonade. As she pulled away she looked in the rear view mirror and was delighted to see them bouncing up and down with excitement. Her gaze turn ahead to see a church billboard with this verse, “The joy of the Lord is my STRENGTH. Nehemiah 8:10.”

Her story made me smile for two reasons. My Mom’s faith has always been so inspiring. Over the years I have had a front row seat to see God’s work in her life. She has shared over and over her own struggles, weaknesses, joys and pointed me to Jesus every step of the way. What a priceless blessing. The second reason her story made me smile is because I am thankful for the REFUGE we can have in our Great God. The storms of life will surely come but He can give us everything we need…even joy in the midst of pain.

We may not know what tomorrow holds but we can have confidence that God will see us through. Today we are going to share a medley of songs we have sang so many times over the years. I love that first line, “This world is not my home I’m just a passin’ through. My treasures are laid up some where beyond the blue…”. Thankful for Mom. Thankful for moments of joy in the midst of a lot of tears. Thankful for HOPE beyond this broken world.