TEARS OF JOY

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

Psalm 16:11 KJV

Pastor Oswald Jeffrey Smith wrote one of my favorite hymns “Joy in Serving Jesus”.  The words in this heart touching and inspiring hymn describe how I feel.  There really is joy in serving Jesus. I love my family and I have a lot of friends that are dear to my heart, but only Jesus gives me joy and happiness.

For over forty years while I was going through the darkness of a crippling devastating depression I had a lot of tears but they weren’t tears of joy.  God called me to be a missionary on October 4, 1998 but He didn’t tell me what He wanted me to do until January 24, 2005.  We need to wait for His leading.

These last ten years since God has given me the responsibility and privilege of writing devotions have been the happiest years of my life.  When I think about God trusting me and loving me so much that He called me to be a missionary and allows me to serve Jesus, my heart overflows with happiness and with joy.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the joy You have given me by allowing me to serve Jesus.  You have taken away the tears of heartache and sorrow I had for over forty years and given me tears of joy, happiness and excitement.  What a privilege it is to serve the One Who died for me.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

July 21, 2015