“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
Tears
In the beginning of our unexpected journey, I cried quite frequently. There were so many shocks. There was such sudden, unexpected loss. There were so many questions about what was happening and constant situations that needed answers—answers that I didn’t have.
As the tears flowed, rather than it being upsetting, it helped me get equilibrium.
As time has passed, I find that the tears come less often. But they still come—usually during a stressful time or times when I’m weak and weary. I’ve learned to let them flow. They often seem like a pressure release valve—letting the “steam” off so that I can handle the pressure.
I think I have a new awareness that God understands my tears. The song “Tears Are a Language God Understands,” by Heritage Singers,* says that tears are a language He understands. Tears are okay—in fact, more than okay. They are a gift. And it’s not a male/female thing. It’s not a sign of weakness. Jesus wept over the death of His friend Lazarus and over the city of Jerusalem. The Bible says He was “acquainted with grief.” He understood tears. Peter wept when he denied Jesus three times. Jeremiah the prophet wept. David wept in the Psalms. Job wept in his suffering.
I’ve always appreciated that Floyd wasn’t embarrassed by his tears. There were times when he cried with me when I went through a tender time. His father was a man who cried. He learned the lesson as a young man of how valuable our tears are.
When they come, I let the tears flow. I believe God weeps with us, and gently holds our hand to comfort us in our sorrow. He “hears” our tears, and is with us in the valley of our sorrows. He collects our tears as something precious, and makes note of each one. He has given us the ability to cry and have tears because He knows how much we’ll need them during our trials and sufferings. I hate to think of how bottled up things would be inside of us if we didn’t have the release of tears.
There was a time in my life when I was very insecure and self conscious of my tears. Now I’ve come to understand them as the gift that they are. I just let them flow. I’m thankful for the release they bring, and I’m grateful that God understands my tears.
Father, You created us with the ability to cry, and You declare that our tears are noted and kept. Thank You for what You accomplish through our tears. Amen.
They are a gift and such a release.. I have been unable to cry or get that release for several years. I have no idea why, but I miss them. I have a friend who also is unable to cry.. I would sure like to know!