He weeps with those who weep

Before I post pictures for the day, I thought I'd share a little something that our Sunday school teacher shared with us. As Christmas draws upon us, most homes are filled with joy, happiness, and cheer. However, this year has reminded me, once again yet more deeply, that not all homes are all happiness and smiles. I have a renewed sense of sorrow for those who have lost loved ones and Christmas is yet another reminder of their earthly absence. I am brought back to the verse "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." Romans 12:15. Sometimes it's hard to be 100% there. For instance, a couple weekends ago, 3-month-old Andrew Turner went to heaven. That same day, another friend gave birth a healthy little baby girl. (Another verse that came to mind was Job 1:21 "The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." However, that's a whole other story.) The next day was a wedding at church, the UM/OSU football game, and our class bonfire. The funeral arrangements were finalized on Sunday. Then the funeral was on Monday. I found it hard to be completely enthusiastic about the activities on Saturday. The heaviness of the Turner's burden weighed on my heart. Within the weekend, we had exprienced the height of life with a new birth and a wedding, to the lows of life with the death of an infant. Yet, God, in His perfection, was able to perfectly and completely sorrow with the Turners and their family, yet at the same time, He was able to perfectly and completely rejoice with the Rogers and the birth of their baby. He is perfectly able to rejoice with us this Christmas season, yet, at the same time, shares the heavy heart of those who sorrow this time of year. What an incredible and all-powerful God we serve.