We have been plagued lately with the news of friends experiencing utter and complete heartbreak. Perhaps because I am an intense feeler and have traveled the path of pain, it weighs on my own heart with a heaviness I remember all too well and yet still try to forget. I think once you have been “branded” with an event in your life that causes you to think in terms of “before” and “after”, sad stories affect you in a much more intense way. Or maybe it’s just me.
So in an attempt to lighten things up, I just want to have fun today. Nothing but fun. We could all use a little joy in our lives and a reminder that in all things, God works for good. Always. Even when we think there could not be one good thing to emerge out of a horrific situation, it always does.
Here are a few good things we have experienced so far this summer at Casa de Snapp:
Susannah was a flower girl in my cousin’s wedding last weekend. JJ tried to take a few shots of us as we stood in the door and I helped prepare her to walk down the aisle (that’s me on the left), but he said the lighting was horrible and he couldn’t get any decent shots. This was one of the photos he took and it could be my most favorite one of the summer thus far, proving again that joy can so often be found in the unexpected. In fact, isn’t this the best kind of joy?
And then the lighting was great, proving that sometimes we feel we are in the darkness but the light always comes. Always.
Brother and sister having a ball in the sprinkler – proving that reconciliation can occur.
Neighborhood friends to share giggles and popsicles with on a balmy summer night, proving that fond memories of childhood are one of the greatest gifts we bestow upon our children.
An almost-two year old baby boy munching on a SunChip wearing nothing but a swim diaper and a Buddha belly and getting kissed by his mama?
Proving that we are always lovable…
Silliness,
wonder,
and baby giggles – proving that joy comes in the morning.
My sweet friends that are experiencing pain, you know who you are. Trust God and know that joy does come in the morning. It just does. I’m not blowing sunshine smoke up your you-know-what either because as I’ve stated before, I’ve seen some pretty dark days. And yet.
My joy in the morning is now. And yours will be coming, too.
For more Caffeinated Randomness, go and visit Andrea at Under Grace and Over Coffee!!!
…Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. – Psalm 30-5
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. – John 15: 1-4
Natalie – I am so sorry for the hurt your friends are going thru. We’ve had a few drastic unexpected “new normals” to start in our family. It is never easy – and each day a struggle. But continuing to trust the only thing that gets us thru!! Praying – because HE knows the details.
There is a song – Jars of Clay sings God Will Lift Your Head – that became a favorite after our 2nd trimester miscarraige last year.
Give to the wind your fear
Hope and be undismayed
God hears your sighs and counts your tears
God will lift up, God will lift up, lift up your head
** and the last verse is **
Through waves and clouds and storms,
He gently clears the way
Wait because in His time, so shall this night
Soon end in joy, soon end in joy
.-= stef´s last blog ..Random ~ things to do =-.
Stef, thank you so much for taking the time to share this song and lyrics. I love it and I love them – this is not one I am familiar with though and I will check it out.
I am so sorry for your “new normals”. What a great way to phrase that I must say…
I am most sorry for your loss last year. Oh my. I can’t even imagine the pain of that experience. I will pray for your healing heart.
Thank you for your wonderful, encouraging words.
Thank You for the beautiful reminder Natalie. I definitely needed it and I have been repeating that verse a lot this week and I am so very thankful for it…mourning may last for the night…but JOY is coming.
<3
You are welcome, Christy! Yes, we all just need to remember this when the pain is overwhelming or if we are just annoyed by the little things – it does get better. Always.
Thank you for reading and commenting – hope you had a great weekend!
Thank you Natalie! I love you more than my luggage and am so blessed to have you and your beautiful family in my life. Bring on today! God is good!
Dear Karri. We are blessed to have YOU in our lives. What a gift you all are to us. I say bring it on and yes, He is so very good!!!! Remember that He has a plan for you that is so, so good, my friend!
I’ve always felt that the saying “when it rains, it pours” is quite accurate. I too am a deep feeler, a big marshmallow and my friends/families worries/heartaches become my own. I’ll say a little prayer to you and your friends. Even though I don’t know the situation, God does. :)
PS- Your children are beautiful! I’m your newest follower from Friday-Follow.
Thank you, Cassie! I’m visiting your blog in just a minute! Thank you for reading, commenting, and following! So glad to “meet” you!
I have this at my desk and I was so thrilled to see your reference to it this morning.
Joy in the Morning
As we make it to the top of the hill
and look behind at where we’ve been,
It’s hard to believe we made it, but here we are at last.
Taking a look at what awaits us beyond the next ridge,
Helps us to realize that our lives have been extremely blessed,
by the lives we have touched and the lives that have touched us.
Knowing that the places we will go
will far exceed the places we have been.
So look to the mountains from them we will get our strength,
The places that we have been can scarcely hold a light,
To the joy that will come in the morning from the tears we have shed tonight.
Thank you for sharing your life with us. Have a wonderful summer!
Gail, I absolutely love this. Thank you so much for 1) reading, 2) commenting, and 3) taking the time to type these wonderful and precious words that I will share with my hurting friends. Thank you for ministering to us today, Gail!
I loved this post-made me smile! I am sorry that your friends are hurting.
.-= The Lumberjack’s Wife´s last blog ..The Birthday Happenings. =-.
Thanks, girl. I need to visit your wonderful blog…I so appreciate your comment!
I’m a feeler too… which is a good thing, but can make it tough sometimes. I’ll keep you in my prayers!
I love all the photos and your thoughts to go with them! Your children are adorable and it’s obvious they are SO LOVED!! :)
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..Caffeinated Randomess: looking back and looking forward! =-.
Thank you, Lauren. They are loved beyond measure. Even when I’m a little miffed at them or a little tired, they are loved beyond measure. :)
Your children are adorable! It looks like you’ve had so much summer fun already. Joy can definitely be found in the unexpected and those are the times that really make you smile in appreciation. Thanks for sharing!
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Caffeinated Randomness-Questions! =-.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Heather! We HAVE had a great summer and it’s only half-way through! WOOHOO!!!!
I know those ‘before and after’ events… and how they can affect you. You are not alone in those intense feelings. But you are so right when you say the morning comes, joy does happen. Trust God’s plan and HE will see you through.
I loved seeing these beautiful photos. They certainly did make me smile. You have some beauties!! :)
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Caffeinated Randomness =-.
Thank you, Jennifer. They are beauties but you know what? I would not have any idea if they weren’t! :) I’m just a little prejudice…
Thanks for reading and commenting – your words are so accurate and so wise.
Your daughter is lovely. When she walked down the aisle did you imagine her in 15 years time? I know I did when my little one was a flower girl.
.-= Michelle @ Lost in the Prairies´s last blog ..Caffeinated Randomness – I’m So Excited…. =-.
Thank you, Michelle. Yes, as a matter of fact, I did. It scared me a bit! :) I want to stop time RIGHT NOW.
I never thought of myself as a feeler…but it seems the more years go by…Oh, I’m definitely a feeler. Sometimes, in ways…I feel like it’s harder to FEEL for my friends who are hurting than even myself. My prayers go up for you (as you minister to them) and of course, for them…that their hearts will be held in His hands.
.-= Bobbi´s last blog ..Caffeinated Randomness: CS Lewis & a bunch of Anon. =-.
I know, Bobbi. I feel exactly the same way! We just might be twin souls!
Thank you for your prayers and thank you for reading and commenting, dear one!
What a wonderful friend your friends have in you! I am sure that with your support and love that you will help them to see the morning soon! Best of luck to all of you as you deal with these changes.
Thank you, Kelly! Your words made my day. I hope you are feeling well! When’s that baby coming? As always, thanks for reading and commenting!
I love that God helps us to see the joy in the little things around us, even when we are in the midst of unspeakable pain. He is good indeed.
.-= Andrea´s last blog ..Caffeinated Randomness Summer Edition: My yellow thumb =-.
Me, too! Amen!
Thanks, Andrea!
I’ve been feeling that way too, seems like it’s one more sad thing every day. Sometimes we just need to take time to focus on the sparkles ;)
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..fill in the blank friday {2} =-.
Oh I love that – the sparkles. There are so many sparkles…What a great term! Thanks for reading and commenting, Amanda!
I like your “good things”. Cool and fun pics!
.-= Kela´s last blog ..Caffeinated Randomness: Back From Vacation =-.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Kela!
Thank you for your happy post, and I hope that those who are hurting are leaning on God, even when we can’t understand what is really going on or why, He is there.
.-= Missie´s last blog ..Fishy fishy =-.
You are welcome – thank you for reading and commenting, Missie! Thank you also for your accurate and compassionate words.
Nothing wrong with a little fun! Your son has the most beautiful brown eyes ever :) Super cutie
Thank you…He DOES in fact melt my heart and it’s usually because of those darn eyes…:) Thanks for reading and commenting, Annah!