Hello, my name is Sotiel Dixon.

I share a personal story of hope in today's encouragement from our daily bread, tears of praise.

Years ago, I cared for my mom as she was in hospice.

I thank God for the four months he allowed me to serve as her caregiver.

And I asked him to help me through the grieving process.

I often struggled to praise God as I wrestled with my mixed emotions.

But as my mom breathed her last breath,

and I wept uncontrollably,

I whispered, hallelujah.

I felt guilty for praising God in that devastating moment.

Until years later,

I took a closer look at Psalm 30.

In David's song for the dedication of the temple, he worshipped God for his faithfulness and mercy.

He encouraged others to praise his holy name.

Then David explored how intimately God entwines hardship and hope.

He acknowledged times of grief and rejoicing, times of feeling secure and being dismayed.

His cries for help remain laced with confidence in God.

The echo of his praise wove through David's moments of wailing and dancing,

grief, and joy.

As if acknowledging the mystery and complexity

of enduring affliction

and anticipating God's faithfulness, David proclaimed his

...