Psalm 30:5B “Weeping may stay for the night but rejoicing comes in the morning.”

With Christmas in the past, I can now celebrate surviving the season without tears. You see, a few Christmases back, our world was thrown into the unthinkable. As my mother lay dying in one hospital, we anxiously awaited the birth of our precious grandson in the hospital right next door. Traveling back and forth from death bed to birthing room rendered my husband and me numb, barely able to put one foot in front of the other. Following the excitement of holding our perfect baby for the first time, Mike and I stopped at a fast-food restaurant to quickly celebrate our anniversary with a burger and fries, then returned to mother’s bedside to face the inevitable together.

I reflect on these memories each Christmas. With a broken heart, I weep the loss of a beloved mother. Then quickly my tears turn to laughter as we gather to celebrate our grandson’s birthday, God’s precious gift of new life.

The struggle of sad tears/happy tears is not mine alone. Many in scripture faced adversities only to discover abundant blessings on the other side of heartache. Job endured great loss of family and wealth, but in the end prospered in excess. Ruth lost her husband and said goodbye to her family but was blessed with a godly husband and the glory of becoming a piece of the lineage of Jesus Christ. And Esther, the orphaned child, became a crowned Queen and saved her nation. These and many more were forced to endure the unthinkable in order to enjoy the unimaginable.

So, as you welcome in this new year with black eyed peas and a chorus of Auld Lang Syne, remember to brace for the storms of life. They will come. But remember, dear friend,on the other side of heartbreak will come the glorious sunrise of a new day and the beautiful gifts of a loving Father.

Blessings for the New Year,

Rita Cochrane