Songs in our Dirt

     There is just a load of hurt in the world.  I have dear friends dealing with aging and ailing parents, and, boy, the going is tough and the road looks long and uncertain.  From the destructive power of addictions, the sorrow of struggling children,  the fear of financial ruin, the loneliness of marital discord, the haunting specter of a frightening future whether from illness, death, or failure of some kind... life can be just plain hard.
     As I listened to my sweet friends chat about their daily struggles in helping sick loved ones,  my heart burst--both with sorrow at what they were enduring and with joyful admiration at how they were enduring.  If you asked them, I'm sure they would exclaim that they are failing: not always being joyful, not always thankful, not always trusting when in the midst of their storms.
     O but they are!  I see their faithfulness even in doing the dirtiest and most distasteful of chores.  I see their love and patience even when their flesh wants to lash out.  I see their humble example of servanthood even when they deserve to be served.  I see their kindness and caring even when they get no thanks or kindheartedness in return.  I see their selflessness and continual service even when it requires putting aside all their own chores and needs.
     And I am humbled and inspired to the core... and, O, how they must delight the heart of the Lord. Can't you just imagine it?  Jesus says to His Heavenly Father, "Lord, would you just look at that?  Isn't she something?! Tired,  discouraged, a little fearful, yet faithfully serving and cleaning and washing and helping.  O, Father, she has no idea how all of heaven watches and wonders with joy at her moment by moment obedience... even when she doesn't feel like it.  Isn't she just the apple of Your eye?!"
     And she is.  She just may not know it right now.  But one day, she will hear: "Well done, my good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.  Enter into the joy of Your Master." (Mt.25:21)  And all the dirty bathrooms and doctor's waiting rooms and bedside vigils and praying through tears and trusting in spite of feelings of fear and long, sleepless nights and painful personal sacrifices that no one else will ever even know about--they will all be so so worth it.  So gloriously worth every single minute of it.
     The funny thing is: all those hard, sometimes torturous minutes will be transformed into a beautiful part of the magnificent pattern sovereignly designed by our loving, faithful Designer.  The wonderful One who created us also loves to redeem us--redeeming our souls for salvation and redeeming our most difficult moments for ultimate good and glory.  One day, incredibly, we will thank God for all those frustrating or desperate times that He sovereignly used to make our lives a blessing and a witness to a watching world and to transform us more into His glorious likeness.
     So, since we will one day praise You for all You have sovereignly allowed in our lives, O Father, help us to trust You and to thank You now.  Enable us to remember that You are at work... even when we can't see it or feel it. Might we live lives worthy of Your sacrifice, pouring out our lives for others, knowing that You see all and smile.  Lord, even as we harbor deep pain in our hearts, might You give us a song in our souls... for You are our song.  
     "Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak.  The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing." (Zeph.3:16-17)
     O Lord, help us to hear You sing!  O Lord, help us to sing!  Especially when the going is tough and the road is long and uncertain--give us Your song, Father.
     To the Redeemer who sings over us, His children;  to the Author of salvation's song, be all the glory forever.