Surprised by JOY

Life has been different lately. Consuming. A bit exhausting. So very busy. We have had to make the difficult decision to leave the house and property we loved and thought we would raise the kids on and rent a house for now. I have seen my mother suffer incredible pain as she is fighting cancer and recovering from surgery. We experienced a fire at our house a week before we moved and have since experienced all that goes with the repair and insurance. And, we have had sick kids (fever, coughs, aching) for over 2 weeks.
A friend said to me on Sunday," Well, it seems like you have had 4 of life's most stressful happenings in just a few weeks time."
My life is really quite wonderful, and compared to what others are going through, mine is nothing to even blink at. But, there have been a few challenges in my life as of late. And I find myself surprised by joy that I feel.
I don't know why I would be surprised...God's joy is not dependent upon earthly circumstances. I just have had a rather "peachy" life and I guess I thought that when I did go through hard times, I would feel "different" somehow...maybe that it would consume my every day.
I am so very thankful for the peace of God which reminds me constantly that GOD is the one in control. How freeing it is to release the control I never had! I am also very thankful for the people God puts in my life, not the least the 7 wonderful people I live with, to add sunshine and constant reminders of God's goodness and faithfulness. I am so glad to find out the the old songs and lessons I learned as a child are true...God does give joy in the middle of uncertainty in your life...and I don't think I will ever be surprised again. Just thankful.

(Pictures of the lovely house we are in now to follow soon!)