Thankful carries a different weight this November.

On Friday, I spent the day with my dear friend, Amber, who two weeks ago today lost her sweet sister, Amanda, in one of the darkest, most senseless acts imaginable. And the nation watched in awe—even disbelief—as Amanda’s husband and family members proclaimed the goodness of God in the midst of such evil and spoke of their unshakeable hope in the One who turns tragedy into triumph.

I sat with Amber as she remembered with joy those 28 precious years with her baby sis. Amber and Amanda were as close as any two sisters I’ve known—dating (and marrying) best friends, walking down the same wedding aisle on either side of their dad, supporting each other through marathons and college graduation and pregnancy and childbirth, sharing all of life’s biggest moments side by side—which makes this loss all the more devastating. Having two sisters of my own, I cannot even imagine.

All sisters share a special bond, but few share their wedding day.

In Amber’s bathroom I noticed a sign, “There is always, ALWAYS something to be thankful for.”

Always??

This November, the world seems exceptionally dark.

Death. Evil. Sin.

More death. More evil. More sin.

And yet, here stand the Byars and Blackburn families in the midst of this nightmare, choosing to be thankful. Thankful for a God who turns tragedy into triumph. Thankful for 28 sweet years with their sister, daughter, wife. Thankful for the unshakeable hope we have in Christ. Thankful this world is not our home, death is not the end, and the best is yet to come.

Wow. My “thankful list” falls pathetically short in comparison.

This November, the Light seems exceptionally bright.

Love. Forgiveness. Grace.

More love. More forgiveness. More grace.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

Jane, I pray that, in the midst of great darkness, you too will reflect the Light. I pray that you will know the unfailing goodness of God and the unshakeable hope we have in Christ. And I pray that no matter what lies ahead, you will always, always find something to be thankful for.

TWJ 40

Some days you wake up thinking it's just going to be another day, not realizing that at any moment, without warning, your whole life could come crashing down.

My heart aches for my dear friends who have experienced this reality this week-- one, who's husband passed away Sunday night from a sudden heart attack, leaving her behind with their sweet baby girl, just a few weeks younger than Jane. Another, who's precious sister-- a pastor's wife in Indy, mother of a 1-year old boy, and 12 weeks pregnant with their second-- was the victim of a violent home invasion yesterday, and today went home to be with Jesus. There are no words for this kind of devastation. Only prayers and tears. Lots of tears.

Jane, this Tuesday (Wednesday), I want you to know that life is a gift. That our days are short and numbered and infinitely valuable. That the world is dark, but Jesus is light. And that no matter what happens-- though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death-- you need not fear evil, for you are never alone. Your life is precious and you are loved. So, so loved.

TWJ - 9 months

Today marks 9 months with Jane, which means she has officially been in the world as long as she was in the womb (give or take those 2 weeks overdue... but we won't talk about that now). ;) I'm not sure which is harder to believe-- the fact that we have a crawling, babbling, 9-month old daughter, or the fact that this daughter grew 9 months in my belly. Both are pretty miraculous if you ask me.

This was a big week for Jane. Surviving a lobster boil, of course. ;) Going on a spontaneous trip with our friends, the Shepards, to the most amazing international farmers market (if you live anywhere near Atlanta, you have to check this out!!). And learning how to roll her tongue like a fluent Spanish-speaker.

And then, on Sunday morning, she decided to crawl. And pull herself up. On to everything. We're still working on the "getting down" part, and unfortunately I imagine there might be a few (more) bumped heads before that skill is mastered. :(

I thought I could outsmart her with the sticker this time. It can't be done, folks.

Happy 9 months, Janie Bear!