Thoughts on a Trip to Ontario Part 4: Joy (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Philippians 4:4)

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:

16 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

There were many great things about our trip, including just being together but -believe it or not – it was not perfect! The children and everyone else didn’t always get along perfectly – especially when we are travelling in a car for hours together and then sleeping three or so people in a twin bed – when our children aren’t little anymore. And then after having no sleep for a few nights driving and flying through the whole night, one can be tired and cranky. There is a little rainfall in everyone’s life. But here is the thing, the Lord is with us in everything we experience. He will never leave us nor forsake us. A friend of ours, Major David Ivany, whom we have quoted regularly, regularly says, ‘in the end it will all be all right; so, if it is not all right it is not the end’. I think that is a wonderful encouragement to persevere in the strength of the Lord.

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