Word of the week: Joyous Sorrow

What is a joyous sorrow? Doesn’t that sound like calling a seven foot tall man “shorty?”  When do we have a joyous sorrow? In general, we have a joyous sorrow when the hopes we have in Christ mix with the sorrows that are a part of this life. I feel the pain of living in a fallen world, but I’m comforted by the realities of the joy I have now in Christ, and the ultimate joy that is coming in the next world.

It was my blessed duty to officiate at the funeral of Anna Belle Deal, the mother of Jeff Deal and husband of Tom (now often seen with Jeff and Jennifer at our church). It was a joyous sorrow that was there. She had a vibrant and unabashed Christian faith. She left no doubt. Absent from the body, she is now present with the Lord. There was reason for sorrow - a wife, mother, and grandmother is gone. But many reasons for hope - Christ is risen . . . we too are alive with him.

Another family at Grace has joyous sorrow - Jeff Fletcher and Janice Edwards just lost their mom - Virginia Satterfield (Peter Edwards’ grandmother). This was after a long bit of difficulty after she was hit by a car. Again, she confessed Christ loudly and clearly was ready to meet him. Plenty to feel sorrow about there, but mixed with a joy, a hope, a confidence . . . like when the sun broke through those clouds after the five (or was it ten?) days of rain in a row.

Till Jesus comes back or comes for us, we are going to taste that sweet and sour wine of joyous sorrow. Thanks, Lord, for the joy part.  Thanks, that the sorrow soon will pass by…

Don