Joy Comes In the Morning

Being home is hard for me. It's not that I don't like home or the people that make this place home. I just struggle with finding contentment while home. Mainly, I don't really have a "job" or a purpose. During these long breaks, my main job is resting hard in between semesters. If you've been keeping up with this blog, then you know that I struggle with resting physically and spiritually. 

Well, I've had plenty of time to rest over the past few weeks. Too much time to rest. In fact, I'm quite restless.

The fact that I pulled my back a week ago didn't really help my restless soul. In fact, it taught me a lot of lessons about joy, contentment, humility, and the value of a family that loving cares for you despite your silly injury. 

But thanks to my injury, I've been stuck in the house for a week. The past few weeks here have been pretty dreary weather-wise, and I couldn't remember the last time I saw the sun. 

And thanks to my injury, I missed a week of church, and I didn't realize how much I missed and needed real live fellowship until yesterday. Church was a sweet balm to my aching soul after a week of being an invalid. 

Even though Christ alone is the only one that will bring me true joy and contentment, sometimes I just long for sunshine and fellowship. 

So I started praying for these things, and the Lord graciously removed the gray clouds today, letting sunshine fill my room at home, and He provided sweet fellowship with a friend from school. 

He also prompted me to start reading this little book below, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. I'm only halfway, but I love it already! A man who spent most of his adult life being a shepherd goes verse by verse through Psalm 23 and shows the Good Shepherd's love and care towards his flock. It's a great read!

After a few weeks of dreary darkness, this morning's light, time with Jesus, fellowship, and time in a good book was refreshing and much needed. 

Like King David in Psalm 30, I cried out to the Lord, and He brought me joy in the morning.

I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up
    and have not let my foes rejoice over me
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
    and you have healed me.
O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
    you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
    and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment,
    and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
    but joy comes with the morning.
Psalm 30:1-5