The Gift of Tears

It was another fibro flare-up ... debilitating fatigue and debilitating pain. It brought my life to a grinding halt. Again! The  discomfort couldn't be ignored. And oh! It was just too hard to cope with. I stepped outdoors to get some fresh air. There on the carpet of green grass. strutted a little honeyeater. When it saw me, it rose up high, performed a merry dance, then flew across to leafy branches for a rest. A few moments on, it repeated its actions ... another ballet, up in the air, as if its joy could not be contained. It pranced and danced to its heart's content, at least five or six times! 

And so amidst the pain and fatigue, a smile found its way to my lips. I thanked God. What a beautiful world! Golden sunlight streamed down on the undergrowth. A lively geranium curtseyed at me in her pretty pink plumage. Soft winds rustled in the trees, creating sweet music. I sat down. I breathed, slow and deep. As I looked around me, I felt a little better. But then ... without warning, tears fell wetting my blouse. I sobbed! "How long, Lord?' I asked Him. 

"How long before You heal me?'

It was my heart's cry on the days that my pain was unbearable. My Heavenly Father didn't answer. Not at first. But soon, like the dawn of a new day after a long dark night, truth flowed into my heart. For two long years I had found it hard to cry ... I, for whom tears usually came pretty easily. The thing is ... tears are my path to healing. And so my unexpected weeping that day released something inside of me, bringing wholeness to my spirit. It was a gift from my Daddy God. He was giving me exactly what I needed at that time. Nature's balm to a crushed spirit. 

Scripture reminds me that my tears are always seen by Him. 

"You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. 

You have recorded each one in your book." Psalm 56:8 (NLT) 

Isn't that comforting? When my beloved Mama went home to heaven, I cried daily for three months. But ... tears are natural pain relievers, so as I wept long and hard for Mama, my pain levels decreased dramatically - in fact, I seemed to be pain-free much of the time then. Thank you darling Mums for your precious parting gift! 

I remember a different tough season, when God's unabashed joy welled up inside me and brought comfort to my spirit. It was an enigma - that I could feel so much pain and yet feel so much joy, both at the same time! This then was what James talked about. 

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4 

Yes, I discovered then that the pure joy of Jesus, the joy in spite of circumstances was real!

Then there are times when I have wept with hurting family or friends. I was glad that my tears helped them know I understood their pain. And they didn't feel as alone as before. So those tears were God's gift to them. 

The world right now is in a season of lament, isn't it? 

So much sorrow. So much discord. So much pain! Oh Lord, hear our prayers!

May we weep for each other and weep for our fractured world. I know God does!

How are you doing today, my friend? Are you struggling with a painful situation? Are your tears too many as your heart grieves long and hard? Do you feel that life will never be the same again? Let me reassure you that God sees you and understands your pain. He knows everything about you. He cares. Deeply. He is with you and for you. Although you may not feel it, you are not alone. One day you will see clearly and not through a dark glass as you do now, but face to face with Jesus. And then you will find to your joy, that He did work all things together for your good.

"Weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5 (NKJV)

And take heart, dear one. Heaven is for real! In the new heavens and the new earth, there will be no more sadness, no more pain, no more suffering. May the Lord be your comfort and strength today. May He bring Hope and healing, life and peace, right there amidst your challenges. And don't forget ... the best is yet to come!

 "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Rev 21:4

"They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. Rev 22:4-5