Sorrow and Joy

This may not look like sorrow mingled with joy.
But it is.

A milestone birthday being celebrated in our space is certainly a JOY, but sorrow hovers in the corner of the room and cannot be forgotten.

Tiny fingers squish the cake, and chubby-cheeks are smeared with icing. Happy hands bang on the highchair tray, and we REJOICE over the precious life of this little one.

The time comes for the crumbs to be swept up and the streamers to be taken down. The little one’s parents go one way, and the child goes another. Sorrow steps out of the corner and settles in, front and center. For a moment, the reality of the loss and pain and grief in this story overshadow all else. The convoluted narrative continues.

In the world of foster care, we see and experience brokenness everywhere. Deep, devastating brokenness. Yet Hope remains.

Hope in Christ.
Hope for this child.
Hope for the parents.
Hope for the foster family standing in the gap.
Hope for the joy to outweigh the sorrow.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Romans 15:13