The moment he spoke, my heart softened. My dad has a tendency to do that to me. I have always been amazed by that—my dad is the only man who can speak straight to my heart at this stage in my life.
So, in light of this month, it hit me that talking to my dad would healing. I made the call. His words were reassuring and full of peace. Ahh. I love my dad.
Ireland is not what I thought it would be. From our housing to our ministry, there has been deep difficulty at each hour. If Jesus teaches us the most at the point of persecution, I think I’m going to be a brilliant student at the end of the month.
It’s not that Ireland isn’t beautiful or that it’s people aren’t lovely. It’s that I should have been more careful to notice that there’s no guaranteed correlation between the beauty of the land and, thus, the beauty of my circumstances. I should’ve been quicker to realize it.
But, joy is not optional. Nowhere in scripture does the Lord encourage people to feel discouraged and to act upon their failed expectations. Instead, Jesus is clear that we are blessed to not only face hard times, but are encouraged to persevere in the midst of it.
I’ve never been at a point in my life where I’ve had to fight every thought in my heart and every word spoken over me. I’ve never had to battle for joy as though I were physically fighting a tangible enemy. I’ve never had to find my worth in God alone.
But, I’ve also never had such a challenging experience. I’ve never stood on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ like I have had to for the past week. And, I’ve never been so ready for God to save my situation.
I guess that’s what happens when God decides to refine me: my core is squeezed to reveal what is actually in it. And, while all the ugliness comes dripping out, so does the joy of the Lord. Because that’s what I’m learning: joy in the midst of circumstances. My dad said so. And so does my heavenly Father. And I definitely believe them.
