Joy in the Morning

I woke up this morning feeling rather sad. There was nothing major on my mind, just a small ache in my soul.

I got up, put on my clothes, went down to the kitchen, and prepared my coffee.

Checking my feelings all the while, I tried to pinpoint the source of my malaise. Not much came to mind for today.

After my pour-over was poured into my mug, I headed back upstairs to my cosy, quiet studio where I pulled out my notebook and phone with my Bible App and started, as I always do, with a scripture.

I read, “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning, Psalm 30:5b.

All and good, I say. I didn’t weep last night, and I sure don’t feel any joy this morning.

I guess that is not the scripture for me!

But I proceeded. Each morning, I write a haiku based on that day’s scripture. Today’s came out like this:

I can cry all night,

but in the morning, Jesus comes

and brings joy with him.

I talked with God, and I told Him I was rather weary today, and I wasn’t sure why.

“But here I am anyway, wanting only to be with you, to sip my coffee, and read your Word. Is there something you want me to see today?”

My morning scripture story came from John 21. Because I wanted to experience and understand it more fully, I decided to “step into” the story, visualizing myself right there in the scene. Would you like to join me?

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It’s dawn. The sun is just starting to show itself on the horizon. I feel rather chilly, so, wrapping a cloak around my shoulders, I crouch before the blazing charcoal fire that burns brightly in front of me. Holding my hands out to the warmth, I hunker down, eager to watch the morning unfold. I hear the gulls calling out loudly as they fly by, searching for their next tasty morsel. Further in, on the lake, I hear men calling out to each other as they assess their overnight catch of fish.

I look up, and there is my Jesus, stirring up the fire, keeping an eye on one set of men in a boat just offshore.

He smiles at me, and I think I saw a little wink, like He was saying, “Watch this!”

At one point, He cups his hands around His mouth and shouts, “Hey, guys! Have you caught any fish?”

But they yell back, “No!”

He calls out again, telling them to throw their net on the right side of the boat, and they’ll find some!

I shake my head. I mean, they have been toiling all night. Remembering my morning scripture, weeping may last through the night, I wonder if any frustrated tears fell from those weary eyes as they raised and lowered the net over and over, only to find it empty every time they hauled it up.

But those guys crazily decide to go ahead and do it.

When they lower the net one more time and raise it only to find a gigantic load of squirming fish, everyone is absolutely amazed! I find myself jumping up and down for joy! They really do have tons of fish in that net!

I look at the grin on Jesus’ face, and I smile back, laughing. I see his plan.

All of a sudden, the guys in the boat realize it is Jesus on the shore! One of them, Peter, jumps into the water to get to Jesus as quickly as he can, and the others follow with their nets overflowing.

What a catch! They worked all night with no success. But with one word from Jesus, they pulled in 153 fish.

I see them all running from the boat to hug Jesus and to cry out their joy at his appearing and his provision.

When they got to the shore, the charcoal fire Jesus had been tending welcomed them with a few fish already grilling along with some bread.

I saw how hungry they were after fishing all night. I bet the smoky smell got their stomachs growling!

I noted how excited they were to see their holy friend, Jesus, standing there, welcoming them with open arms.

I also note that Peter seems to hold back a bit. Just a few days ago, in fear for his own life, he denied even knowing Jesus.

But here his beloved friend and holy God had come to him!

With joyful smiles and hearty hugs, Jesus wanted to assure them he was truly alive. Out of his deep love for them, he offered them an over-the-top miracle, along with an inviting breakfast by a warm fire!

I sat there mesmerized by the scene. While chewing on the fish and bread I was offered, I noticed Jesus take Peter aside. It looked like He wanted to tell him something important.

I heard him say, “Peter, do you love me?”

And Peter answered, “You know everything. You know that I love you.”

“Feed my sheep.”

Three times He asked. Each time Peter answered. “Yes, you know that I love you.”

Each time, Jesus told him to tend the sheep.

I took that to mean that Jesus was assuring Peter that his work was not finished. His failure of the days before did not define him. The flock still needed care, and Jesus assigned Peter the task.

I saw the relieved look on Peter’s face. I felt the deep joy in their hugs, and I smiled with a deep sigh.

Jesus is so breathtakingly incredible.

********************

I realized it was time for me to “step out” of this story, so I brought myself out from the sandy seaside and back into my warm studio and found my coffee, still warm.

The scripture from my morning came back to mind. Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.

The disciples toiled greatly all night, probably to the point of despair. But Jesus met them where they were, and blessed them with a surprise miracle. Two miracles, really. One was the 153 fish, the other was the appearance of their dear Jesus, their Messiah. He was alive, and He had work for them to do!

Joy came with the morning.

I know that many of you find yourself weeping in the night right now, and I grieve with you. Let’s keep watch and see how Jesus shows up. I pray that you will find the consolation of your grief and the gift of HIMSELF, the great collector of our tears.

********************

This morning, when I woke feeling “down,” I didn’t think the scripture about weeping and joy was for me.

But Jesus, with a wink and a smile, showed me that He sees and provides what we need to live the life we’ve been given. Whether it is to catch fish, to love our neighbor, or to make breakfast for our loved ones, He appears ready to provide what we need.

Well, after all that, I’m not feeling so sad in my soul anymore. I am overjoyed at being with Jesus.

That’s really all I wanted anyway.