Joy and Sorrow

"I see Him as the King of Joy," whispered Sorrow, "for on His head are many crowns, and the nail prints in His hands and feet are the scars of a great victory. Before them all my Sorrow is melting away in deathless love and gladness, and I give myself to Him forever."

"Nay, Sorrow, " said Joy softly, "but I see Him as the King of Sorrow, and the crown on His head is a crown of thorns, and the nail prints in his hands and feet are the scars of a great agony. I, too, give myself to him forever, for sorrow with Him must be sweeter than any joy I have ever known."

"Then we are one in Him," they cried in gladness, "for none but He could unite Joy and Sorrow." Hand in hand they passed out into the world to follow him through storm and sunshine, in the bleakness of winter cold and the warmth of summer gladness, "as sorrowful yet always rejoicing."

-Selected; from Streams in the Desert