I sat in the sun today. And it was awesome.  This has been an incredibly long winter that lasted long into our Minnesota “spring.” It has been cold and dreary, and today’s sunshine was such a welcome reprieve.  I believe that anyone who knows what it is like to survive a snowy start to May, will not take for granted a glorious, sun-filled afternoon like this one.  Today, joy was sunshine.

I always think that a long winter makes those summer moments so much more glorious.  We appreciate the things we have so much more when we have gone without them for a while.  This afternoon, both my boys are napping.  And it is awesome.  We have had a long stretch of sleepless nights and diarrhea filled days at our house, and I could have cried for joy this morning when both boys seemed much more “well.”  In addition to the fact that they seem to be on the mend, I slept for 5 hours straight last night.  I do not know the last time I slept for such a long chunk of time, and it was great.  Again, naps and “normal” sleep patterns were made so much more glorious because their absence had been great.  Today, joy was a little more sleep and the relief of boys on the mend.

As I reflect on the joy that comes from sitting in the sunshine after a long winter, or the joy of much needed rest, I am reminded of Psalms 30:5 (NKJV); “For his anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.”  Today I have found things to be joyful in, but there are still some “winters” that I am walking through.  And while I will relish in the joy of today’s sunshine, I will also look forward to the future with the hope that even though I might be going through some trying times, I can trust that, “His favor is for life.”  My family and I have some tough stuff that we are dealing with right now, but I’m holding on to the hope that this time of trial is “but for a moment.” And on the other side of this moment, I believe that we will have an appreciation for that new moment, that joy that comes in the morning; that we would not have had without having lived through this moment first.

As I strive to find joy in my journey, there might be times of weeping, but even in those times, I can still find joy because “His favor is for life.” And though my, “Weeping may endure for a night;” “Joy comes in the morning.”