Two of the most expensive and extravagant items in the Believers Clothes Closet are the Garment of Praise and the Garment of Joy. Why? In order to obtain them one has to go through the valley of sorrow, and mourning.
In that ravine it seems like grief will never stop. Pain is a constant companion. One of my dear friends described it as feeling as if a knife was stuck in her heart. Upon the unexpected transition of my dear husband of thirty-two years, I had to make that desolate journey across death's valley. I found out that the pointed blade struck a deep place in my heart. There seemed to be no solace for the emotional, physical or mental discomfort I felt.
I bless my Mother Evelyn’s memory. She would call me on the phone from the East Coast and encourage me by saying, “Tricia, you can make it.” If I was going to make it across I needed a strategy. Therefore every morning before my feet hit the floor I would play two songs. One was, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” The phrase “Morning by morning new mercies I see,” fortified my spirit and will to keep going. The other song was ,”This Is the Day the Lord Has Made.” I started to reason that if God made this day and I was here to see it, I should get up and get going. Along the arduous and tedious journey to healing I made halting progress towards the daylight.
Somewhere along the days, months and years I started to make exchanges from my widows weeds to a different set of apparel I had to be willing to change and let go of my suffering. I had to be willing to keep moving and not get stuck in that sorrowful place. With the blessing and mercy of God here are the trades* of which I took advantage that are available to all who have hope in God
Beauty For ashes
Joy For mourning
Garment of Praise For the Spirit of heaviness
Dancing For wailing
Joy For sackcloth
Years before my husband died one of my favorite Bible teachers did a series about that great leader Moses. In his final sermon he made the statement that when Moses died none of God died. That statement came back to me when I needed it most. When Winston died none of God died. Today, twenty years later I can attest to the fact that I am enjoying life again. God did not die but continues to prove that He is faithful. The spirit of heaviness is gone. God continues to bless me.
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them
beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
Isaiah 61:3
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed
my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, Psalm 30:11
My late Mother Evelyn singing, "All is Well"
https://youtu.be/RxKYVS1gFNc
My late sister Joy Simpson sining
"His Eye is on the Sparrow"
https://youtu.be/mzYL5jCEsAE
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