Tears

In my late teens, I had an experience that taught me to weigh my words carefully before speaking.  I have never forgotten the embarrassment I felt when things went from bad to worse. 

I was seated, waiting patiently for my number to be called at the unemployment office.  Finally, I heard it announced over the loudspeaker.  Joyfully, I hurried to the counter, where I noticed the lady assisting me was clearly having a bad day.

Her temperament was sullen and gloomy.  Without intending any disrespect, I was drawn to her piercing, bloodshot eyes and oppressed countenance.  Lightheartedly, I said, “Hey, give me a smile—things can’t be that bad.”  I was taken aback at what happened next.

Suddenly, without warning, she began weeping uncontrollably.  Through the tears, she sorrowfully replied, “My mother just died!”  I was mortified and wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear.  It felt as though every eye in the room turned toward me to see what the commotion was about.

I felt compelled to someway ease her pain but didn’t know what to say.  I had already said too much that opened the floodgate of tears.  I look back now and wish I had been walking with the Lord at that time but wasn’t.  I could have shared Jesus—the Prince of Peace—with her.  I left the office in deep contrition and dispirited.

I know tears are a normal response, depending on the circumstances a person is facing.  Nevertheless, no one wants to weep alone.  They may need someone who will listen and share in their despair, but sadly, I wasn’t that person.

The touch of the Master’s hand would have made the difference had I been in a right place with God to tell her about His love and grace.  His grace is sufficient for all our needs.  Scripture tells us that God Himself will be with us and be our God as we face life’s challenges.

(Psalm 147:3), “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

(Revelation 21:4), “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

When I see tears coursing down someone’s cheeks, I automatically assume they are going through a difficult time.  I understand well what the lady was experiencing. 

I, too, lost my mother at the age of 58.  I was 27—a young man who loved his mom, and suddenly she was gone.  It broke my heart, and I shed many tears.  Yet the Holy Spirit was there to comfort my soul during that season of deep sorrow.

I had become a Christian four years before my mother’s passing.  She knew me as a sinner and lived long enough to rejoice when I gave my life to Christ.  Her prayer was that she would live to see me happily married and blessed with a child.  God heard and answered her prayers.

Tears filled her eyes when I shared the wonderful news of my conversion.  She believed that God had bottled the tears she shed for my redemption and thanked Him for the miracle.  Tears are not always signs of heartache; they can also be expressions of joy and gladness, as they were with mom.

Psalm 56:8 tells us that God keeps track of all our sorrows and collects our tears in His bottle.   He records each one in His book.

Before I became a Christian, there were nights when I laid my head on my pillow and felt tears trickle from the corners of my eyes because of fear.  I was afraid if I died in my sleep, I knew where I was headed—and it wasn’t heaven.  My sinful lifestyle often kept me awake, but when morning came and I was still breathing, I continued down the wide road to destruction, rebelling against God.

At the age of 23, I finally admitted I couldn’t find happiness in the life I was living.  I knelt beside my bed, asked God to forgive my sins, and accepted Jesus into my heart.  At that very moment, peace flooded my soul, and tears of joy streamed down my cheeks.

I knew God had forgiven me.  I felt the born-again experience taking place within my soul.  I was no longer broken or bound by sin.  He made me a new creation in Christ—a brand-new vessel fresh from the Potter’s wheel. 

God removed impurities and unwanted elements from my life.  He now abides within this refined vessel.  He replaced my frown of indifference with a wonderful smile.

When I see someone crying in desperation, head bowed and their face buried in their hands, my heart goes out to them.  I can relate to their anguish.  Had the Holy Spirit not become my Comforter, there go I.  It touches my soul, and I long to reach out and offer solace.

(Psalm 126:5), “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.”

Jesus makes the difference in every situation.  He can turn tears of sorrow into tears of joy when we call on His name—Jesus.  In church, when I see people lifting their hands and praising God with their faces turned toward heaven, I often see tears of joy flowing.  Crying is a natural part of faith.

Tears remind me of Who delivered me out of darkness.  My soul rejoices in the freedom I have in the Lord.  The tears I now shed on my pillow are tears of thanksgiving for what God did for me on the Cross of Calvary—when Jesus paid a debt He did not owe for a debt I could not pay.  He gave His life freely for my sins and yours, because of love.

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd