Job 8:21
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
After much thought, I decided to post how THANKFUL I am that GOD RESTORES our JOY even after a time of great loss. I'm thankful for giggling little boys and the sound of LAUGHTER! In the days before we lost Brent I'd sometimes wonder if we'd ever laugh again. Our boys have always been such a great source of delight in our lives and I simply could not imagine a single day on this earth without one of them.
However, GOD is TRUE to HIS WORD and HE did give comfort and joy in our time of sorrow. Does that mean we don't miss Brent? Of course NOT! We're at peace that he's with the LORD and we KNOW we WILL see him again one day. I found some awesome passages on how GOD restores our joy...
Isaiah 51:3
The LORD will surely comfort Zion (You and Me) and will look with compassion on all her ruins; He will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.
Jeremiah 31:13
Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
Habakkuk 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Yes, the JOY of the LORD is our strength! (Nehemiah 8:10) I'm just so THANKFUL today that because of JESUS, we're promised a life in HEAVEN when this world is over. I'm also THANKFUL for giggling little boys and lots and lots of LAUGHTER! I'm THANKFUL that "death" on earth is NOT the end.
Now, I'd like to leave you with a picture that I've had stored on our computer for quite some time. I remembered it after seeing a similar picture on another lady's blog the other day. Don't you just KNOW that JESUS LOVED/LOVES to LAUGH??
For more posts on this Thankful Thursday check out Sting My Heart
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17 comments:
Oh Tonya,
I had tears of JOY as I read your post. I remember the Tonya, before you lost Brent, and now I see such a deep NEW joy.
I see God working MIGHTILY through your life each day, and what an honor it is to walk along side of you.
You are now tapping into a deeper place with Jesus, and He is there revealing His love to you in ways many of us will never understand.
Thanks for sharing your joy with us. I know one young man who taught us all how to laugh, and how to trust in our God like we've never known before...
Beautiful post sweetie.
I salute you Tonya for being so strong...How nice of you to share your story about your son...Really touch me and made me cried.. I too is a mother who loves my kids so much, I cant imagine how you handle the pain of losing a son
I added you to my links... hope you can visit mine too. and decide if yo would want to add my links to yours...nice meeting you.
Your words of praise and thankfulness have encouraged me today. Thanks for letting God use you in this way.
Tonya~
I'm SO thankful that God has returned the JOY to your heart and home.
Often, going through the fire seems unbareable, but how blessed we are that God can turn the ashes of our lives..into Beauty!!!
Have a blessed day friend, and I'm SO thankful I found yoU!!!!
What a nice TT list. Thanks for sharing... TC
God is just so good and his mercies endure forever. God is the true healer of hearts! Bless you!
Jesus loves to laugh! I like that. He does restore our joy after a time of sorrow. Amazing isn't it? :~D
When you get a chance, there are "fresh flowers" waiting for you here.
Hugs, e-Mom
I'm thankful, Tonya, that you have been able to find that JOY that only Christ can supply - even after experiencing such a loss as you and your family have experienced. What a wonderful promise we have in Christ!
So sorry to hear of your loss. Your decision to praise God in and through your storm is such a blessing! God is using you to speak to others, and He has great plans for your life. Thank you for sharing these scriptures and your precious heart with us!
You and your family are in my prayers....
He does indeed love to laugh. Praising the Lord for our joy that follows the sorry. God bless you for this beautiful post.
Tonya,
We sang that song "The Joy of the Lord is my Strength" last night at church with our youth.
I love the last verse that just says...."ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.....ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha....the joy of the Lord is my strength"
They are teenagers, but got so tickled.
Your story about Brent touches me deeply every time.
Love,
Valerie
Oh, Tonya! I am right there with you, my friend! Life is hard, but truly God comforts us in ways I never thought possible giving us deeper JOYS than ever before. I can't imagine going through all that we have without our faith and our God!
May you have a joyful weekend with lots of laughter!
Love & FROG,
Heather
This is the sweetest post. I can just feel the love you have for your family and God. Thanks so much, for your post is very inspiring. God Bless~
I love how you focus on the positive. Cling to those truths from the Word.
Hello my sweet friend!!! I have missed talking with you and am really looking forward to seeing you in Tupelo on the 15th. PLEASE tell your mamma that our thoughts and prayers continue to be with her during her recovery...I know it will be a long road but hopefully it will go peacefully and quickly! Love you and SEE YOU SOON! (have a good time in Biloxi!)
Tonya - I know that the loss of Brent is still hard for you. I think it is so beautiful though that you are able to write about the joy in your heart - the joy our Lord has put in your heart.
Your boys are beautiful and I know that you will all share a lot of laughter with each other in the days to come.
Thank you so much for sharing your grateful heart with us this week.
Blessings to you and your precious family.
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