She was scared to death. She’d just heard the news. She tried to breath. She tried to think. But it failed her. And all’s she could do was watch in the mirror as tears rolled down her face. She shuddered, and turned away, trying to summon up enough courage to wash the fear and sadness from her face. It didn’t work and she crumpled on her bed, burrowing her head in the pillow, and sobbing till her shoulders shook.

She rose from the bed, wiped the tears from her eyes, tucked her hair behind her ears, silently left her room, walked down the hall, and quietly out the front door. It was a short trip to the field, and she walked out into the swaying grass. She let herself sit down, the tall weeds hiding her. Then she fell back, and looked up into the huge blue sky. She let herself get lost in the majestic expanse, the clouds that lazily drifted across the sky, and the quiet rustle of the grass and the small creatures that called the field home.

And she whispered, “Blessed be Your name, oh Lord. You give and take away, but I will praise You. Through pain and through joy…I will praise you.” And she let the tears fall slowly…