There are these days when words of thanks just aren’t sufficient for letting Jesus know how grateful you are for Him and His work in our lives. Today is one of them. This week has had so much hardship and grief in it–so much evil wanting to overtake. There are times we have to witness it and watch the grievous lessons people face due to choices in their lives. Then there are the ones like a young man yesterday who is struggling so much with the emotional absence of mom and dad. I know I can’t carry the burden for them and I don’t want to. But, the witness of grief others carry is enough to generate tears within oneself and deep prayers of support for each one of them.

The beauty of all of this is our HOPE found only in Jesus. Only Jesus can take all of these grievous times and turn them, over time, into testimonies of His sustaining love for each one. How I know this and how my heart waits with anticipation for these hurting ones to find even a sliver of this beauty while they battle through.

Today, this is my prayer for each.