Watch For The Joy

“And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell face down.” (Leviticus 9:24)

“What? That is horrible, how can God do this to me?” cried the wife of one of my dying patients.

I took her hand and I sat there silently with her for a period of time. Finally, I said, “I don’t know what you are feeling, but the ones that do say to look for the joy in these times.”

“What do you mean?” She was appalled that I could say such a thing. “Joy? How can there be joy?” (And boy, if looks could kill)

And I told her that I really didn’t know but our Savior would show her the anointed "Joy" when the time was right. She only had to “Be still and know.” (Psalm 46:10)

She said, “I just don’t know about all this.”

I hugged her as I was leaving and said, “Watch for the joy.”

Today, I went to visit my sweet family. Her husband had joined the Lord in his final dance on earth last night. And as I arrived at their home, she came running to me and embraced me. She stepped back for a moment with tears in her eyes and said, “I saw the joy, we all did.” (Meaning her three daughters)

She went on to explain that before her beloved died, his face became a radiant gold as he glowed, appearing to look like a little boy, then he turned to his bride and “smiled the most beautiful smile” (he had been unresponsive for over a week). The oldest daughter had been out of the room so when she stepped back in, one of the other sisters cried out, “Daddy, sis missed out on our joy—but she is here now.” And one more time, he turned to his firstborn and smiled before taking his last breath.

As His light came into our world …. (Matthew 5:14)

“…For we saw the joy…”