From my knees before the window, the sun lights up the hazy sky and makes the leaves glisten with the remains of the morning dew. Washed out, the scene of houses is silhouetted, trees standing black against the white backdrop. Sun overpowering all else, firmly establishes its authority. There is a point in life where we submit to that which is truly greater and unmovable. Death is one of those things. But even grander is God, who treats death as another stone or step he illuminates and ultimately dominates.

So there is joy to be found even in the darkest times, when we are truly surrendered to our incredibly merciful God.