Best Day Yet

Oh, today was good, today was great, today was outstanding. 

Nothing huge happened in MY life, but something happened today that my neighbor has been yearning for since the day her husband deployed with Zach's ship; her husband came home. Unharmed, all in one piece, and so very happy to be with her again. I know for a fact that this was the best day she's had so far this year. I know this because it was the best day I've had this year too.

For the last 8 months we've been dealing with the same emotions,  the same worries, the same complications,  the same 'workload' (3 kids), the same anger, the same frustrations,  the same tiredness; but today, today she was set free from all of those things that have been weighing us down this year.

Some might say, aren't you jealous? Don't you want your husband back right now too? And the answer to those questions are no and yes.

It seems like the humanly thing to do is to feel jealous,  but I don't.  I even thought I might when I saw him for the first time, but quite the opposite happened.

I heard her car pull up and I knew she'd been at the airport so I peeked out and there he was getting out of the car. I literally had to sit down because I was so overcome with happiness and relief that he was okay and he was home with her finally after all her sleepless nights. I sat down and started crying, but it wasn't a sad cry it was a relieving cry, a joyous cry. It was like a little ray of sunshine that I haven't seen in 8 months suddenly burst through. My soul literally felt like it got dusted off and I felt happier instantly.

And then later when I was out raking the yard I could hear his little girls screeching with joy, "Daddy!" Oh, it made me smile each time. The joy in their voices was just so amazing and you could just hear how much they love him and how much they have missed him and how excited they were for him to just be in their backyard again. And I thought, "you know this sounds like why I have a rejoicing heart today."

When Zach left I cried out to my Father, I told Him that I knew I couldn't do this on my own. And I rejoiced that I had a Father in my backyard to cry out to. It was me and Him and I knew we could do anything.

Putting my complete 100% trust in God was the best thing I've ever done. I would have never made it this far without Zach, without Him. And because of my trust in Him, He allows me to have joy for others when it seems humanly acceptable to be jealous. God has softened my heart and given me joy daily throughout this year. Through His love and comfort I can rejoice with those who rejoice.

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him." Psalm 28:7

My heart greatly rejoiceth not just for myself but for those I love around me. God can set you free from the humanly "normals" that everyone expects. He can give you joy that you yourself don't even understand. Reach out to Him and He will give you a rejoicing heart. Surrender to His will and know the peace that only He can give.

Today was the best day yet and I can't wait for many more joy-filled days this year.

Ashley

P.S.- She does not know that I was 'spying' on her when they pulled up, BUT she is one of my bestest friends so I'm sure she wouldn't mind. 😂😂 :)