Overcome With Joy

This past year felt a bit like a blur of one sorrow after another,Dec. 14 marked eight months since the loss of my neighbour/friend.Dec. 15, marked one month since my husband's mother passed to her desired rest,And today, Dec.17, marks three months sinceI lost one of my beloved sisters, and many lost a friend,but through deep grief I have time and again been speechlesslyovercome with joy through the comfort of promises from God's word and throughthe compassion of so many caring family, friends and neighbours leaving in its wake a multitude of kinder, more tender friendships. As we partake rather than flee from bearing one another's burdensand so fulfilling the law/love of Christ, (Gal.6:2)He surprises us with unsurpassed joy In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice;at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation. Lord, leave me overcome with joyNo words can quite defineNo circumstance can quite destroyNor sorrow undermine Lord, as I lift my eyes to TheeFrom earth's groaning employRemind me that mortalityPrecedes eternal joy Console me with the glorious thoughtOf joy still set beforeUntil a joy I had not soughtSurprises sorrows sore And fills the longings of my heartWith joy beyond compareAnd faith to face the cunning artOf stumbling block and snare Permit a humbler joy be bornUpon my bended kneeAs I lift up my plea each mornThen wait expectantly Amen ~Janet Martin