Sadness & Joy

As we neared our second anniversary of becoming angel parents, we became Pops and Noni to a tiny, bundle of “Pinkest Princess.” 

Evelyn Claire Hardesty

September 7, 2019

As she entered this world, there was pain. And I was reminded once again that a mom will experience pain in both the birth and death of a child. I can reluctantly say that I’ve now experienced both ends of the spectrum. However, I’ve learned the truthfulness of joy and sadness going hand in hand. Also, there is a plan. 

Life is a beautiful thing. The intense pain of childbirth is followed up quickly with a joyous gush of emotions and smiles as mother and baby begin to bond. Love blooms instantly. Motherhood is such a mysteriously, amazing thing. 

Death is also filled with intense pain for a mother, and is followed by heart-wrenching emotions resulting from a bond being broken. However, love doesn’t die with the child’s body; it continues on, although severely altered in the heart of a mother. 

The new mother watches her baby grow, is excited when each new milestone is reached. As each birthday is celebrated they thank God for another year, for moments experienced and for precious memories. This is the stuff joy is made of. 

When a mother loses a child, deep sadness enters into her world. Loss isn’t pretty or desirable. Yet, the things she holds tightly to are the precious memories and moments of joy left over. There is a plan. 

She can’t experience sadness without having known joy. She can’t experience joy without having been acquainted with sadness. It all works together.

God didn’t create death, pain and sadness; it is a result of sin entering our world. He made it perfect. In the beginning everything was “good”, He said so Himself.  He never intended us to experience the things we have to endure today in a fallen world. Yet, He knew we would. He even came to this earth and experienced these emotions Himself, so we’d know we weren’t alone. Yet, He didn’t stop there. He did something about it! There is a plan. 

When He came to earth in the form of a baby, how Mary must have been thrilled. Deep within her heart though, she knew what was to come: He was born to die. 

Sin caused pain and death to enter our world, but His death would ultimately bring about life and joy - more abundantly and everlasting. He solved the problem by uniting sadness and joy together. He won the victory over death, hell and the grave.  There was a plan. 

Sure, we may experience sadness in this lifetime. There’s no possible way to separate death and sadness, but we have a hope. This life is not the end in Christ Jesus! He is the resurrection and life. Sadness and heartache will come...but will not last always. It is not here to stay. We have this promise:

Revelation 21:4 says, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Talk about JOY!!! Yes, we must endure the less-desirable here and now but on the other side that pain will give way to joy unspeakable and full of glory. We are even exhorted to “comfort one another with these words.”

So, I do so today. If you’re experiencing loss and pain, hang on, God has an “expected end” to bring about joy, to turn mourning into dancing. Weeping may last for the night but joy comes in the morning. On that grand and glorious day when He comes in the clouds of glory, when we are reunited with our loved ones and spend eternity worshiping our Savior...there will be joy beyond imagination. One day!

My heart was thrilled as I watched my sweet princess enter this world, and my heart aches daily at the painful loss of our firstborn, but one day, in the sweet by and by, all that will dissipate. What a day that will be! There is a plan. 

Sadness and joy...yes, but only for this season. There is life everlasting beyond! Hold on to that hope if you’re struggling today. He made a way; He is the way.