You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and not one can rob you of that joy.
– John 16:20-22
I’ll never forget lying in that hospital bed and thinking that the task before me was absolutely and utterly impossible. It didn’t matter that I knew millions upon millions of women had given birth to children over countless generations. Too bad for me… there was no way that baby was coming out. I remember looking around at my family in the room, thinking, “I’m glad you all are having a good time, but this ain’t happenin’!”
My labor lasted so long that the epidural, which I refer to as “happiness,” had long worn off, and there was no relief for this mama. It was in that moment, I realized that my generation was completely unaware of the pains of the women that had gone before us. My hats are off to all of you warrior women who never had the pleasure of “happiness.”
Being my first time to deliver a bundle of joy, each experience was an unknown. The doctors looked ridiculously confident that I could accomplish this task… I thought they were supposed to be smarter than that. Oh well, I knew they would figure it out sooner or later.
However, they were right. Many HARD hours later (there is a reason they call it labor), Kalli Joy arrived with creamy, peach fuzzy skin and a head full of dark hair. And what once seemed impossible, found it’s way into reality.
Are you in a time of dark suffering? Are you in the midst of the impossible? Does everyone around you seem to be living life to the fullest, yet all you see is an impossible task looming before you? Jesus reminds us in the 16th chapter of John that our grief will turn to “wonderful joy!” This may be a time of sorrow for you, but Jesus promises the impossible – a joy that cannot be taken away.
Dear Savior,
I give thanks to You for a joy that cannot be taken from me. In the midst of my struggles, please remind me that You are the doer of impossible things – You turn my sadness into joy. – Amen.
Stephanie Greenwald, Director of Worship
