No more sorrow

‘You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.’ Psalm 30:11

I hope everyone had a wonderful Sunday. My honey and I got up early, as usual, and went to church service. We enjoy getting to the church early. We get to hear the praise band practice and enables us time to say HI to people-an opportunity to get to know people in this new church we’re attending.

Two of the ladies were playing Irish music just prior to the service starting. It was both uplifting and emotional at the same time. I LOVE Irish music. It reminded so much of days gone by. Of times dancing in the arms of my daddy at AOH (Ancient Order of Hibernians) dinner dances. He’s been home with God for almost three years now.

My dad and I were two of a kind where it comes to dancing. We could stay on the dance floor all night. Although I didn’t get to dance with him the whole time, he was a ‘hot commodity’! Whether it was ladies from the LAOH or family members, someone was always trying to get in a dance with him. They were such good times.

But do you ever ache with those memories? I do. Sometimes. Like today. I think part of it is that my dad was sick with Parkinson’s for so many years before passing. He wasn’t strong enough to dance like that many years before the end. I was blessed though that he worked hard to be strong enough to both walk me down the aisle to my honey on my wedding day (in 2011) and have that precious ‘Father-Daughter’ dance with me.

God reminded me today, through those memories, that ‘joy comes in the morning’ (Psalm 30:5). And at the other side of the mourning. God is always with us. He is with us through the rough waters of trials and He will not allow them to sweep over us (Isaiah 43:2). It was so difficult to see a man that was so physically strong to deteriorate how he did. But I know, as I spoke in my daddy’s ear the night he passed, that there was going to be a celebration that evening when he took his first breath in the presence of God.

Take heart my friends. God is always with us. Jesus told us in John 16:33 ‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’

Jesus loves you. And so do I. I pray the peace that only God can provide to fill your heart today.

In Jesus’ precious name.

Tara