(John 11: 1-37) NIV
This blog accompanies the video that can be found here.
Tears of joy, tears of sadness, tears of compassion and commiseration.
When I was little, I cried when I wanted something, I cried when I hurt, I cried when my grandmother moved away. As I grew older, I also discovered that tears provided a cathartic, healing outlet for my emotional pain; likewise, when I felt someone else’s pain or I saw someone suffer. And, to my surprise, I cried when I was happy… when my children were born, when my children made me proud of them. I cry selfishly because of my pain or suffering, but, I find that I also cry for others – for their loss, their pain, their joy. What a strange and beautiful way to express and process so many of my feelings. I believe that only a loving God could have imagined and created this gift of tears.
In her call to create balance from a tumultuous beginning, mother nature could never have even considered the blessings of those tiny ducts and salty tears. Only God could have been so thorough to create a little drop of water that could impact us so intensely, so deeply.
Tears cleanse me of my pain. They lighten my burden and comfort me. They refresh me. They allow me to re-set my emotions. They spiritually and emotionally unite me with family. They help me focus on my needs and give me the voice to tell God of my circumstances. Tears are part of what defines me as human and as a child of God.
I notice that after a good cry, I instinctively take deep cleansing breaths, and I usually feel renewed and better able to deal with my circumstances. I don’t know why, I just can. What a gift!
- When do you cry?
- How do you feel after you cry?