For Joy In Spite of Sorrow (a Thankfulness poem)

Many from our church community are mourning the passing of a beloved man (Doug Barnes) today

gone from the pain of cancer to the Gain of Meeting his Master!

Therefore we do not mourn as those who have no hope...

Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, 

so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope.

 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, 

we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.…

1 Thess.4:13-14

Thank-you gracious Heavenly Father,

...for grace that first makes possible the faith to which we cling

And bids us bear with humble prayer life’s burr-and-nettle sting

For hope that helps us through hard times that hone faith’s sightless eyes

For Word infallible lest truth be twisted into lies

For Goodness to refuel love exactly where we are

For mercy’s kind renewal where dawn dims the morning star

For Beauty’s kind surprises none can claim the credit for

But marvel at He who grants glimpses of a distant shore

For seed instilled with yield enough to feed five-thousand plus

For Wisdom when knowledge is not enough to answer us

For One who never changes in an ever-changing world

But sets His Cornerstone beneath Time’s groaning days unfurled

For purpose so much purer than the gain and pride of lust

For peace past understanding though we suffer what we must

And when we reach the Parting that approaches day by day

What joy to know a Greeting/Meeting waits to wipe all tears away

© Janet Martin