Here-Hope, Joy and Peace

This morning I received a card and letter from my cousin's family,(Wayne and Sherri) who have been going through a deep and ongoing valley of trial for many years. (Wayne has MS, diagnosed after an accidentleading to the loss of his leg in 2012)He is a dad of four children. He is now 49 years old.The letter is a profound picture of refined faith and constant surrenderas they adapt to life with their dearly belovedhusband and dad in a long-term care facility,and the heart-wrenching hurdles of love!!Sherri closes the letter with words that bravely allow us a glimpse into a world of broken dreamsheld fast by resolution for continued trust... Below's excerpt shared with permission from Sherri💝🙏 As I pondered the words we use so freely, especially at Christmas;words like hope, joy and peace I was impacted by how, without the weathered landscape of hardship those words would hold no special meaning.How life's disappointments, sorrows and storms make sacred and dearthese precious words possible by the grace of God; Hope, joy and peace! Wayne and Sherri's family has taken up permanent residence in my prayers for strength for their days and a sense of Immanuel in their lives!...as this poem was penned  I couldn't help but cry as she shared a peek into their world with these words...'I tell you these things not to gain attention or pity for myself,but to give you a glimpse into our everyday life'.She also shared utter gratefulness for God's faithful provisionthrough His followers and so many people who help!! How hopeless our 'everyday life' would often bewithout the comfort and counsel of God's wordand the company and friendships of his family here on earth! *** Here oft joy bears bitter splendor ‘neath the weight of sorrow’s crossHere oft hope groans with surrender on the testing grounds of lossHere oft perfect peace is baffled by the brokenness we seeIn the valley of the shadow of death’s sacred certainty Here the devil would defeat us as we press toward The PrizeBut for God’s Word; here He meets us to attend to longing’s criesHere He reaches through the darkness with an Everlasting LightSoftens the heart’s would-be hardness with fresh courage for the fight Here the fainting soul is strengthened as we feast on Living BreadHere His outstretched arm is lengthened as His precious child is fedHere His awesome power surges, chides man’s motives, prone to pridePromise after promise purges pleas where need and want confide Here He shows us how to follow when the way we cannot seeHow to nestle in the hollow of hands scarred at CalvaryHere He lifts us from the mire of fear, dread, doubt and despairHere He purifies desires that would hinder our prayer Here the hope of nations rallies soldiers of the cross of Christ Here He guides us through the valleys where idols are sacrificed Here, while the world frowns and borrows trouble with unceasing noiseHere His whisper crowns our sorrows with hope's everlasting joys Here faith’s flick’ring candle steadies, here spent spirits are renewedHere life’s gracious Giver readies us with awe-struck gratitudeWhere joy, hope and peace must weather what yet waits, Trust humbly hailsGod’s goodness; His mercy tethers us to love that never fails © Janet Martin ...with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever. Psalm 136:12 As we are drawn to the wonder of manger may we simultaneously be drawn to the triumph at the cross!