“Sorrow is one of the things lent, not given.
Joy is given; sorrow is lent.
Sorrow is lent to us for just a little while
that we may use it for eternal purposes.
Then it will be taken away and everlasting joy
will be our Father’s gift to us, and the Lord God
will wipe away all tears…”
-Amy Carmichael
I’ve thought about this quote a lot.  And I think it’s true.  How I pray that our sorrow will be used for eternal purposes!  And how I long for the day of everlasting joy!
More on Amy Carmichael . . .  here
More on The Macs (who originally posted the quote and lost their own 11 month old daughter)  . . . here