It’s hard to have joy when life is hard. Sometimes we are so overwhelmed by our situation that we forget to count our blessings.

This is how I felt one year ago. 38 weeks pregnant, I had so much anticipation for the struggles to come. I was overwhelmed by the uncertainty.

It was difficult for me to be in church, or have others pray for me (things that I needed badly!) because I would cry so much. After riding this emotional roller coaster so many times, sometimes I didn’t even want to get on it. I wanted to avoid being vulnerable.

My mom would gently remind me, “Lisa, there’s a baby coming that will bring so much love and joy.” I couldn’t even see joy in my future, all I could see was the mountain of struggle I had ahead of me.

How helpful it was to have my mom with me in the two weeks leading up to Jace’s birth. I needed this reminder of the joy to come. This reminds me how important it is to surround ourselves with positive, Godly people when we are struggling. Often times, they are able to see past our mountain, see the streams of peace and the moments of joy in the future.

I honestly can’t believe how much joy God has brought into our lives with Jace. He is a joy. He laughs a lot, he likes to tease (already) and he gives us hugs and pats us on the back. He has taught us what it means to be resilient, what it means to fight, what it means to have joy amidst adversity.

This has been a verse I have clung to this past year, and I already see God fulfilling it. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28