“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.”
Psalm 126:5-6
These verses have been very dear to me over the past 8 months as I’ve sown many tears over an unfortunate series of health problems. My journey began with an unexpected pregnancy, which turned into an unexpected miscarriage at 11 weeks, which led to a debilitating infection with a long, slow recovery.
Early on in my recovery things were dark and the horizon looked bleak. Anxiety and depression crept in, and I wasn’t sure I would ever be “normal” again. But God in His goodness to me gave me a promise from 1 Peter 5:10, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” I clung to that, and sure enough – God was faithful to His promise to me. I am beyond grateful to report that He has restored my physical and emotional health and has indeed made me strong, firm, and steadfast once again. Words cannot express how thankful I am for all those who supported me with their prayers, words of encouragement, and acts of service during this time. They were truly tangible expressions of God’s love to me when I needed it the most.
This past Thursday was June 10 – the day our baby was supposed to be born. Although there is a certain sadness associated with this, there is also joy. From all the tears and sorrow sown over the past several months, God has brought my husband and me an unexpected harvest of joy. We are once again blown away by His goodness to us, and we are over the moon to announce that Baby Girl Shipe will make her arrival this December. So, we who have sown with tears now reap with songs of joy.
“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”
Psalm 126:3
As a note of encouragement to anyone reading this post who is in a season of sowing sorrow – God is faithful. He will take your tears and turn them into a harvest of joy. I cannot tell you how long your season of sorrow will last, nor can I tell you how you will experience joy, but I can tell you that a harvest of joy is coming. Until then, press on and know that God does not waste a single disappointment, hardship, or trial in your life. In all things He is working for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28)
A Word for the weary 