I thought at first, "Why, that's a peculiar verse!" Oh, it's quite easy to sing with the blooming flowers dotting the meadows of a state park, or the dogwood buds in our neighborhood during a sunny spring afternoon, but really! Beyond that???

Our family has been through deep valleys in the last nine years. By 2013, either my wife or I had been in the hospital six times, and unknown to us, she'd be gone mere days after the turn of 2014! I cried for a solid year! But the luxury of self pity quickly becomes very thin when responsibilities settle like chill rain around you, while the dependence of family requires strength day by day.

Learning to sing again after a year of questioning everything about God brought realization that God had not changed. He was faithful, and while the tears of grief would not bring about the renewed presence of my soulmate, her spirit lived on in the house she had found us, and my diminished family would be able to go on laughing for the firm faith we had known as missionary kids.

The battle was not for recovery from loss, but for clear sight of God working in our lives. We did find our voice and the opening of our hearts brought rays of sunshine and the melodies of a new song. I can shout for joy because I know that I know God walks every step and with that assurance comes the song!

Lord Jesus, we are yours and in spite of tears, we do have a song in our hearts because we know you are faithful! Please surround our families with healing, our children with angels, and cause our lights to shine brightly because we shout with joy!