I recently began reading Madeleine L'Engle's autobiographical series and wanted to remember something she said when a lady at a party told her, "You're a very happy person, aren't you?"
Her reply:
"I had, at that point, legitimate reasons to be miserable. But her question stopped me in my tracks. I looked at her in surprise and gratitude and said, 'Yes, I am.'
This was ten years ago. But the answer is still the same. The better word, of course, is joy, because it doesn't have anything to do with pain, physical or spiritual. I have been wholly in joy when I have been in pain--childbirth is the obvious example. Joy is what has made the pain bearable and, in the end, creative rather than destructive."
Here's hoping (praying) that looking back on this season, I will see His fingerprints at work, even in the dark places. That I will learn to respond with "Yes!" when asked if I am "happy", regardless of my circumstances, simply because I am walking through this time with Someone who loves me deeply. And that what He will create out of this will be beautiful, that dwelling in suffering will be faith-building and give me the tiniest glimpse into that of my Savior, and that He would be brought glory.
Labels: faith, joy, suffering
