Psalm 30:11-12 NRSV

You have turned my mourning into dancing;
you have taken off my sackcloth
and clothed me with joy,
so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

I LOVE how the psalmist paints a picture in these two verses. God takes our mourning, and turns it into dancing. I don’t know about you, but to me mourning is a rather stationary activity. You don’t move around when you are mourning, and if you do, it’s S-L-O-W-L-Y. The process is sad. It’s sorrowful.

We had a funeral at our church yesterday, and I don’t think that the family will be dancing anytime soon. Truthfully, I don’t much feel like dancing yet, even though it’s been almost two years since Samantha left us for God’s arms. Praise the Lord that His action isn’t dependent on how we feel. Rather, He takes all of the hurt, all of the suffering, all of the sorrow, and turns it into joy. He removes our sackcloth (traditionally worn by those in deep repentance for major sin) and clothes us in joy! Even when the pain I feel is my own fault, the consequences of my wrongdoing, God’s forgiveness is readily available, and His joy covers me.

My heart can dance even if my body is unable. He has given me moments of unspeakable joy, times when I laughed so hard it hurt. These are gifts of God! He does all of this so that my soul can praise Him. I do thank Him forever. His joy in my heart and His name on my lips are enough.