Count it all joy

I should begin with a brief update about the past five years.

I did figure out tonguing; I mastered it in Spring, 2007, while playing in the Lubbock Symphony for a week. As far as the oboe goes, everything came together, including reedmaking. But two weeks prior to achieving oboe mastery, the LORD impressed on my heart that it was time to start "trying" to have children. I shared my thoughts with Roel, and he was also ready; he said that he would have been ready to start "trying" anytime, even from the beginning of our marriage. So, three months later, we conceived, and my oboe playing faded into the background of my life. Today, I hardly play at all, although I strongly suspect that, in a less-demanding season of parenting, I will again be able to play regularly.

In April, 2008, one year after I had felt the LORD leading in my heart that I should delay having children no longer, Audrey Joy was born. Then, in September, 2009, Lieve Daniela entered this world. (Lieve's name is Dutch; it's pronounced "lee'-veh"). Finally, three months ago, in April, 2011, we welcomed Peter Zacharias into our little family. So, now, I find that life has taken a dramatic turn; my daily life now consists of serving three very needy, but absolutely delightful, little people. But, as I serve these little ones, I am really serving my husband and, most of all, the LORD, who created these amazing creatures and entrusted them into my care.

But onto the reason for today's post.

On Sunday, our music minister gave the message at church, and it has challenged and encouraged me more than any message I can remember in the past few years!! I am reminded of how I viewed life when I first surrendered my life and will to the LORD, at age 21 (11 years ago). The simple truth is that the LORD loves me so much that He sent His only Son to die for me - even though all I had ever done was to sin and live according to my foolish and selfish desires. So, even though I had rebelled against Him, He still loved me, and He completely forgave all my sins. He washed me clean. Life doesn't have to be a drag, anymore. Life is ravishingly wonderful!!! And He lives within me, having given me His Holy Spirit, and I enjoy fellowship with the God of the Universe, every moment of every day of my entire life (since making Him my Lord and Savior).

And every little thing that comes against me in life just pales in comparison to the joy I feel - yes, even feel - because He is my Lord. When the children drain me, and drain me, and drain me even more, I remember that I should count it all joy when I encounter these trials, because I know that the testing of my faith develops perseverance. And perseverance must finish its work, so that I may be mature and complete, not lacking any good thing.

It's all in how I look at things - and if I am looking at things in the light of the overwhelming spiritual realities of God's wonderful work in my life, then these trials actually don't even seem troublesome, at all.

O LORD, may I have the faith to walk through life rejoicing in every trial, every suffering, because I glory in You, and in Your purposes for my life!

If you'd like to hear Richard's message, too, and I highly recommend you do, click here.