Even Joyful?

Dee and John's son, Don, became suicidal and was hospitalized for psychiatric treatment. His parents noticed he was not the same person after that. One day Dee and John got a call from a hospital in Minneapolis notifying them of terrible news. Don had taken his life. 

The next morning when the heartbroken parents boarded the plane, it was a cold, snowy, gray day, but when they got above the clouds, bright sunlight flooded the plane. Dee prayed, "Lord, why don't we forget about what's down there and go on up? I just want to be with You." 

The voice wasn't audible, but it seemed to be, because God so clearly said to Dee, "My grace is sufficient for you; for my strength is made perfect in weakness."

That evening Dee's mother fixed a wonderful dinner for the family, but Dee could not eat. Instead, she went into the living room and sat down. Her sister came in to comfort her, but stood about four feet away. She said, "I can't come any closer because there is a presence surrounding you that I can't come through."

On the day of the funeral, the Lord was so very close to Dee and John all day. At night as they prepared for bed, Dee asked, "Would it be wrong to say that this has been a good day? Even joyful?"

John said, "It has been." 

This must be what the scripture refers to that says, "He gives the oil of joy for mourning" (Isaiah 61:3). 

In our darkest times, perhaps, as Spurgeon wrote, the angels step aside and God says, "I will take care of them myself. I will be with them in trouble."

Thank You, Father, that You heal the broken hearted and bind up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3)