This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 18:24

This verse was in the devotional I read with my parents last night… I found it so fitting. My dad, in his vulnerability, wept as he felt the Lord calling him to “rejoice” in the current circumstances. He heard this in his heart and he wept. In all the pain and uncertainty, we are called to rejoice. How can that be?

Rejoicing is possible only when we remember the beginning of the story. Only when we focus on the truth of what our hearts know. It is obedience that chooses to believe that this day, too, is one the Lord has made. He has made this day that we are going to see an oncologist. If I know anything about God I know that He is Good. I know He is Good all the time. And those are not just words to me, but the real truth of my heart. I must first believe that God did really make “this” day.

My parents and my brother sat around a table the other night praying and reminiscing about times the Lord has saved our lives. We talked of how God has brought each of us closer to each other and closer to Him over these past few years, starting when my brother and I shared more about our abuse. He has been preparing us all along for “this day,” the one He made. And because He made it, I will rejoice and be glad in it.

I can rejoice because He is with us and we have a new awareness of His Presence.
I can rejoice because I see my parents more open to Him than ever before.

I can rejoice because I have a community of people praying and fasting for all of us.

I can rejoice because I have the ability to be here with them and my kiddos are still being cared for back home.

I can rejoice because as a family we have never been stronger in what really matters, LOVE.

I can rejoice because I have seen my parents embrace in tears throughout the day. It is as if God is showing me all of the love they have for each other that may have been withheld under different circumstances.

I can rejoice for so many things and I am thankful for them all. Even the hard things are sometimes needed to bring us to new levels of Peace and Joy.

He has made this day. I will rejoice and be glad in it. We are learning to accept that He made this day too. We are learning to rejoice.

This afternoon we will hear from the doctor more about my dad’s condition. It will not change the truth that He has made this day.

I will rejoice and be glad in it.