Let it have a short term lease

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.  Psalm 30:5

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  2 Corinthians 4:17

I can't quite say what it is in every situation, but for most of the things in life I think it should have a short term lease.  

Some people say I'm not old enough to speak this way, and you yourself may agree.  I'd probably say that they as well as you are right in some sense.  However, I've seen enough in my short lifetime to know what the Psalmist said is true and to agree that joy comes in the morning

No, I've never laid a spouse to rest, but I've shed my tears at the grave side of someone I love so deeply and yet I know that joy comes in the morning.

No, I've never battled cancer, or watch someone I love lose that particular fight, but I've been battling a disease / sickness since I was 18 and I know that joy comes in the morning.  

So, give it a short term lease.

No, I've never had a child or daughter die, but I grieved in a hospital room at the loss of a child that was, and yet was not.  When I look at Ava and Emma I know that joy comes in the morning.

No, I've never lost all my worldly possessions, but I have lost my way enough and lost enough money to know what it feels like to be down and out.  I know that joy comes in the morning.

So, give it a short term lease.

I've had friends turn on me and I've been stabbed in the back.  I've had good friends abandon me and had not so good friends plot my down fall.  I've been talked about and I've been mistreated.  But, God is with me; my rock and my refuge and I know that joy comes in the morning.  

I've watched a child sweat and ache, vomit and cry all night, but I've seen joy come in the morning.

I wasn't at Calvary when they hung my Savior and he died.  I wasn't at the tomb when the laid him inside.  I wasn't there when he bled and died and when all his friends left his side.  I wasn't there when Mary cried and the skies grew dim and dark, but I know that joy - unspeakable joy, resurrection joy, eternal joy, a holy and wholly other joy - comes in the morning.

I say all this as a reminder to myself and to others that all of this is fading away - so don't cling too tightly just let it all have a short term lease.  Let it all rent space, but don't give it a long term lease.  Long enough to be felt and dealt with and then let it move on.

Lamentations 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Revelation 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away