Fresh Joy. Heidi McLaughlin

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      FOREWORD

      “I’d love a cup of coffee. Would you like one?” The words slipped from my mouth before I could retract them.

      Coffee is my love language. The smell of it brings a smile to my lips and makes my heart happy. It’s how I communicate with my people, and Heidi is one of my people. We’ve laughed and cried our way through many of life’s ups and downs, but nothing was as earth-shattering as the unexpected death of her second husband, Jack.

      I can still recall the message I received from Heidi asking for prayer after Jack collapsed in their kitchen while going for a coffee. And the prayers that followed when it became apparent he would not recover. Heidi’s normal changed forever before the first cup was brewed, an experience that made each cup thereafter a painful memory. I could understand her decision to avoid drinking it after all she had experienced.

      For most of my life, I have believed that the goal is to run from pain. I reasoned that if I could avoid grief and disappointment, I would be in a perpetual state of joy. I now know I was wrong. Over the past three years, I’ve watched Heidi navigate a journey no one would choose with a level of courage and grace that surpasses understanding. When given the option to run from the pain, she chose to walk through it.

      Since 2014 I have been meeting with Heidi and our friend Sheryl Giesbrecht-Turner via Skype for monthly prayer times. These prayer calls began as a way to support each other in our writing and speaking ministries. They were an opportunity to not feel so alone in a profession where you spend a lot of time alone. Little did we know then how our friendship would be a lifeline to help each other overcome some of life’s greatest battles.

      From our first tearful prayer time following Jack’s death to our call a few days ago, I’ve watched God heal Heidi’s heart. Anxious nights turned into peaceful sleep. Sorrow and confusion turned into purpose and power. Joy found a way to shine forth from the pain. What I now realize is that there’s an intricate relationship between pain and joy. There is a sense that they coexist and are independent of each other.

      To my delight, Heidi welcomed the offer to enjoy a cup of coffee that day. Sitting across from her at the table, I was proud of my friend. This wasn’t just about a cup of coffee; it was about finding her way back to joy.

      This joy is not dependent upon external circumstances, feelings, or emotions. No, this is a steadfast joy that exists even when there is sorrow, pain, and disappointment. This joy is not something you step into but something you allow to come forth from within. It lives in the secret place and is released during time in God’s presence.

      Where are you in the process? Maybe you’re experiencing the fear and confusion of having your world turned upside down. Maybe you’re in a place of anxiety and restlessness about the future. Perhaps you’re sitting right on the edge of a new journey with God that will reveal to you the fullness of who he is in your life. Wherever you find yourself today, it is my prayer that you will trust the process the Holy Spirit uses to lead you to fresh joy.

      Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith

      Board-certified internal medicine physician and author of

      Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity