Last night when I got home from work I mentioned to my family that I might be turning into a weepy, cry at the drop of a hat, middle-aged woman.
“Oh no” was my husband’s reply.
“You do cry a lot” was my son’s reply.
Neither asked me to expand on my comment…I think they were too afraid I might start crying. 😉
A couple of weeks ago, I cried while watching the new animated kid’s movie Inside Out and last week I cried when my son and I watched McFarland USA, a “feel good” story about how a group of disadvantaged kids became state championship runners.
Note to self: Feel good movies will always make me feel like crying…but in a good way.
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Yesterday, I shared on Facebook that it was the anniversary of my mom’s death. It’s been 24 years. I shared the precious moment of being by her side the hours before she died. Over the years, that memory has become a gift. It has, thankfully, provided more hope and comfort to me than sorrow. I love how God does that, how He can take a past pain and use it to bring us reassurance as we journey on. His ways of transforming and redeeming our grief into something beautiful will never ever grow old to me.
I’ve shared this with you before, but I tend to become emotional when I hear about someone losing a parent. There’s a part of me that aches tremendously for the family who must walk down that road. I know there’s no escaping this pain. I know there comes a time when we all go through it. Yesterday, I was brought to tears when I read an email message about a family at my church whose mom was in their final hours here on earth. I don’t know the family. I’ve never even met the family and yet when I read the news, that subtle, underlying ache of loss we carry with us for the rest of our days was triggered and the tears came out.
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On the drive home from work I told the Lord that I am looking forward to the day when death is no longer a part of life. I cling to the fact that on that day…our Healer will make good on His promise.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away.” Rev 21:4
My mom went to be with Jesus in March of 2004. I too look forward to the day death has no more to say.
I know we have this one loss in common, Bill. In fact, I think one of the first blog posts I ever read of yours was a beautiful tribute you wrote about your mom.
I think crying is a sign of tender heartedness, and it is a tremendous strength! Just saying….!
Thank you for the encouragement, Alfred. Not sure I see it as a strength but it beats trying to hold it all in and pretending I have it all together!
I think tears can be a healthy way to process life. Many of us (me included) don’t cry enough.
Another thought: I want to weep for the things that make God weep.
I long for the day when there is peace and unity. I long for the day when I feel no pain. Until then, I think tears may actually be a good thing many times.
I would agree, Jon. I spent years running away from my emotions. Not healthy at all and just caused more pain.