Sorrow's Sweet Surprise

I came across this photo of us sisters in much care-freer childhood days...From left to right...Marlene, Carolyn, Cheryl, Lucy and Janet 💝 Because today marks four months since Lucy's death,it also marks four months of God's abiding comfort and strength,and four months of being drawn ever nearer to Hiseverlasting love... I'm sharing today and tomorrow's devotion from the bookbecause they minister profoundly to all who are travelingthrough trouble and sorrow... I shared the verses below on yesterday's post but I didn't 'unpack' them... Matt. 5:4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,who comforts us in all our troubles,so that we can comfort those in any troublewith the comfort we ourselves have received from God. Often in ways we would not chooseWhen love unfolds grief's solemn huesWe find, in sorrow's somber lengthThe God of all comfort and strength Often, when disappointments testThe hopes and dreams now laid to restWe find in sorrow's bitter tearThe God of all comfort is near And often when (lest we despair)We pour out broken hearts in prayer We find to sorrow's sweet surpriseThe God of all comfort replies We find  'no longer I, but Christ'As hopes and dreams are sacrificedWe find, as sorrow bows the head The God of all comfort instead Whose compassion is new each mornWho comforts mourners, sorrow-wornThrough troubles we would never chooseGod ministers with Heaven's hues © Janet Martin And a BIG P.S. Prayer updates!Remember the people you prayed for and ? Our friends had a wonderful trip in spite of the initial disappointment;not as originally planned but in place of original plans 💖🙏 ...and thanks be to God, the family who was looking for a home has found one!Thank-you all for your help and prayers!