Joy of the Redeemed

DH's parents are here this weekend, and we are having a fine time so far.  Except for one unexpected and unfortunate (and thankfully brief) incident yesterday evening that MIL and I got over--but about which DH and I somehow ended up fighting in bed until 1 a.m. So I got up and sat in front of the fire to pray and calm my mind and heart until 1:30.  And then as soon as I was back in bed trying to settle down to sleep, the new neighbors set off fireworks from their back deck--the really loud, fast Chinatown kind. And again five minutes later.  Then at 2:30 Happy kicked down the protective bar from the top bunk in her sleep, so I had to go re-position her and her sisters, deciding to leave down the bar.  At 3:00 Sunny fell out of the high bed with a big thump--but was perfectly ok, since she had pulled all the bedding with her and landed on it.  But after getting her back settled in bed, I realized something was going on.  Seriously, my friends who believe such things can happen, it really felt like spiritual attack, like something was actively trying to keep me (and DH) from being one spirit together, and from getting any sleep.  At 6:30 Smiley got out of bed and came into the living room, where our bed is, and I had to escort him back, telling him to go back to sleep (he just started waking up earlier a few night ago, sometimes at 4 in the morning, sometimes at 6:30--what is up with THAT?) but it did not work and he was walking around again at 7, and woke up his sisters.  That's ok with me, 7 is a perfectly reasonable time to get up, esp. when we need to get up and dressed before Oma and Opa come in.  But because of all these strange things happening in one short night, I only got maybe 3 1/2 hours of sleep--and oh, my readers, my sisters, my friends, I am like a zombie this morning, numb and scratchy, and completely inadequate in spirit and strength for having a positive day with any people who are themselves in a poor spirit place.

(DH always struggles when his mom and I clash, a whole childhood of conditioning coming back to him, and his distrust of my desire to act righteously--and not self-righteously--not always allowing him to believe the best of me in difficult moments.  I feel badly for him about it, when I'm not being mad. ; )

There is no way I will make it through this weekend, this day, this morning, on my own.

Good thing I am not on my own.  I desperately reached for my Bible this morning, knowing I would need some Truth to start the day with, before DH's parents come in.  Opened it randomly, and here, oh here, is the living, loving Word God gave me for today:

Isaiah 35 "Joy of the Redeemed"

The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom;
it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the Lord.
the splendor of our God.

Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way;
say to those with fearful hearts,
"Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you."

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert.
The burning sand will become a pool,
the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
In the haunts where jackals once lay,
grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.

And a highway will be there;
it will be called the Way of Holiness.
The unclean will not journey on it;
it will be for those who walk in that Way;
wicked fools will not go about on it.
No lion will be there,
nor will any ferocious beast get up on it;
they will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there,
and the randomed of the Lord will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.