Silver Linings

Dad and I were talking last night after church about a few different things, and it seems that lately most conversations turn towards Johanna. Last night was no exception. And, if you're a Daddy's girl you know you can't hide anything from your Dad. You can be strong and hold the world together around everyone except your Dad. No matter how old I get, when I'm with my Dad, I still feel like a little girl. He takes care of me. I don't say these things to slight or disrespect Chad in any way. He understands the importance of a father to a daughter. It's a special relationship.

Anyway, we were talking about Jo, and the overwhelming sadness that I feel sometimes about this whole situation. Then Dad reminded me that sometimes I need to look for the silver lining so to speak. He mentioned some things, and I thought I would share them with you.

• Jo will never be disappointed or hurt. She'll never have to go to school wearing the wrong clothes or shoes and have all the other girls laugh at her.
• Jo will never be upset at anything. Whether it's boyfriends, bad grades, mean parents that have her best interest in mind, or broken IPods. Whatever it is, she just won't have to deal with it.
• Jo will never have a broken heart. She'll never know what's it like to not have that special boy call. She'll never know what it's like to not get picked to play dodge ball on that certain team. She'll never know what it's like to get passed over for a promotion. She'll never know what it's like to learn her baby is dying, and that there's nothing she can do to change the situation.
• Jo will never have to worry about her weight, hair, makeup, clothes, shoes, handbags, toenails, accessories, and all the other trivial things we girls consider so important.
• Jo will never be apart from her Lord. If we are fortunate, Chad and I will get her for a few short minutes, but He will still be with her in a way I can't understand. And then when she passes on, she'll get to praise Him forever.
• Jo will never have to wonder about her salvation. And, as her parents we won't have to wonder either. We know she has grace sufficient already. That is a luxury very few christian parents get. We believe Clayton will be saved in the Lord's timing, but that's in God's hands not ours. It's nice to know that our daughter is safe and secure already.

It's the silver lining that helps the gray clouds pass a little faster. I can't see the silver lining every single day. But, I can today, and I'm thankful for that.