HEARTBREAK TO HOPE!

Legitimate reasons for lament can bring darkness into one's life....even in the midst of the joy of the Christmas season.

Dark clouds require deep mercy, as Mark Vroegop says.This morning as I jot notes for my "dear to my heart," cousin Joy's funeral, I am asking for that mercy. Lament is pain that can lead to trust. May my time in His word lead me to that today.

Lament tunes the heart so it can sing about trust. (Vroegop, p. 82)

I am still struggling. "How long O Lord?" (Psalm 13:1) 

Help me to discover the grace of "lament" during this dark time.

May this lament fuel my faith.

May I place my broken heart in God's hands today and lean into the hope only He can give.

As I remember Brenda Joyce Davenport Tanley at her funeral, may my words offer hope. Others my call her Joyce but ever since childhood, she's been "my Joy."

Transform me, O Lord that others might see Christ in me, the hope of glory! For in your presence is fullness of joy and pleasures  forever more. (Psalm 16:11)

CHOOSE: 4 FOR 4th FRIDAY

More marginalia quotes---four for this 4th Friday entry:

• Lament is faith seeking understanding. (C. Huffman)
• Lament happens when grief finds its voice--as one begins to move through the pain and not wallow in it. (C. Huffman)
• Lamenting can be difficult for "stoic southerners" who often seek to deny emotions and endure grief and suffering. (C. Huffman)
• If we need to lament our sin, how much more to rejoice at our pardon! (C. H. Spurgeon)

Trying not to lament or embrace fatalism while revisiting these laments, I chose to begin my day with a Magnum Almond bar for breakfast.

 At least it was a "mini!" That's to make sure I don't "lament" this choice later in the day.