Sometimes in life there are stretches of time that feel like
being hit with one wave after another. The last couple years have been like
that for my family. Every member of the Swann family has dealt with health
concerns and car troubles of various kinds. We’ve lost a beloved family dog and
navigated a confusing job loss. It’s been a lot, and sometimes all I can say to
God is “Really?!”
But God has also brought many good things into our lives
through the same period of time. Of course, the most significant thing
personally has been my relationship with and recent engagement to Andrew. He
has also brought new friends and a new dog into our family. A new job was
provided without the need for searching. We have seen great health improvements
despite the other health issues. Our family has grown closer as we have
navigated all these ups and downs together.
A few weeks ago, we sang “From Everlasting (Psalm 90)” in
the morning service, and the lyrics of the second verse hit me deeply: “O God,
when joy and tragedy collide / And loss reminds us life is but a sigh / From
everlasting, You are God / And all our days are held within Your hands / Your
perfect love and favor have no end / We rest within the wisdom of Your plan /
Everlasting God.” The collision of joy and tragedy can be such an overwhelming
and confusing thing to experience. There can be such a rollercoaster of
emotions, and sometimes both happiness and sorrow are coexistent in one moment.
I love that the Psalms reflect this seeming paradox of life
so well. David often begins with crying out to God because of the troubles he
is facing but ends with praising God for His faithfulness through it all. I
feel this duality deeply, and in some ways I am thankful for it. I am grateful
that even though life has thrown some pretty great hurdles into my family’s
life recently, God has continued to demonstrate His faithfulness and brought
joy in other areas of life. He holds our days in His hand, and His perfect love
for us will never end.
--Concetta Swann
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