I did an Instagram Story last week where I wore this tee shirt:
Wait. That’s a lie.
I didn’t do the story; my son’s girlfriend did. I am, as we know, painfully slow when it comes to social media, but Instagram seems to be Mary’s love language. She just held up the phone while I talked and the next thing I knew, it was posted–with hashtags, a spinning basketball, and a blinking Easter cross!
More is more, eh? I love that girl.
Anyhow.
The Insta Story was meant to spread the word on some new book releases…
- Holy Week (a board book from the “Baby Believer” series)
- The From Me to You Conversation Journals (which parents and kids pass back and forth)
- and The Path of Life (which you’ll hear more about next week, cuz it’s a great gift for Mom)
…but I got more than a few comments on the tee shirt.
Which made me think that it might be time to revisit the post I did exactly three years ago, the week after Easter. Which was also the week after U.Va. frittered away a big second-half lead and found themselves booted from the 2016 NCAA Basketball Tournament.
Here’s what I wrote, back then. And if you’re not a U.Va. fan and you can’t take ONE MORE WORD about Tony Bennett, please don’t unsubscribe or leave negative comments. Just scroll to the end. Because all of us–even Tarheels and Tigers–can use the promise of JOY now and then.
Joy in the Morning
Whelp, my beloved Wahoos lost to Syracuse last Sunday night.
Every U.Va. fan I know has been in mourning this week, except for maybe our dogs, who are high-fiving (pawing?) themselves over the fact that I won’t make them dress up to play Carolina tomorrow.
The loss was a blow, but it was Easter Sunday, and I can’t think of a more fitting day for Coach Tony Bennett to make the comment that he did. When reporters asked what he’d told the team after the game, Bennett said:
“Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.”
Bennett said the words came from an old church hymn. They’re also, incidentally, in the title of a book by one of my most favorite fiction authors, P.G. Wodehouse (click here for the hardcover version, here for the paperback):
But, really, the promise of joy after sorrow is older than both the hymn and the book. It comes from Psalm 30:5.
And like so many of God’s promises, this one might be hard to believe, particularly when you are in the midst of suffering and you can’t see any way out. But, to quote Coach Bennett, “Joy is coming…I know it doesn’t feel that way, but I know it will be true.”
I know it doesn’t feel that way, but I know it will be true.
Could there be any more encouraging words? If you find yourself aching today, or if someone you love is walking through a season of sorrow and it doesn’t feel like things will ever get better, take hold of the Psalm 30 promise. Make it your prayer.
Because we don’t know what the future will bring, but we know that God is faithful. And we know that He loves us. And that his goal is to make our joy complete.
Joy is coming.
Heavenly Father,
When _____ feels overwhelmed with pain or sadness, may they find hope in and strength in your promise: “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
Amen.
❤️
And P.S., two things:
First, if you want your own “Joy” tee, click here.
And second, if you’re a regular reader, you probably know that Max and Khaki (pictured above in their U.Va. gear) both got drafted into the Great Beyond. We miss them dearly, but this little gal (who arrived just last week!) is keeping us on our toes. When she’s not trying to eat them.
Blog friends, meet Minnie(apolis) Bennett, aka “Minnie.” 💙🧡
