Her hot tears slid slowly down her cheek and made a path where they fell in the corner of her mouth. The saltiness of them seemed to match her bitter feelings.
I wrote something similar to that in a high school essay, where my English teacher, Mrs. Jones, wrote on my paper in red ink, “nice description”. I kept that paper for a long time.
It figures I’d get a compliment on tears. Lord knows I’ve shed enough of them. Happy tears, tears from extreme laughter, angry tears, sad tears, depressed tears, despondent tears and tears from pain. I’ve cried when I’ve done something wrong, and also cried when I’ve been done wrong. From bawling to sobbing to whimpering, I’ve experienced all types of crying. I’ve also been told many times to “quit your crying”.
I can’t quit my crying tonight. My tears are streaming, even as type. They are tears of sadness. A little boy in our community, who just turned one, passed away. He and his family have been in hospitals since he was a few months old and was diagnosed with a rare liver cancer. I had the privilege of writing a story about them for the newspaper.
I did not know them, and didn’t even get to meet them for the story…it was all done via email. But, my heart was touched and I prayed for this little boy. Tonight a family, and an entire community is grieving. I know there are many tears being shed and that will be shed by and for this family.
I know other families who have lost a child and it’s devastating to see what they have to walk through. A friend who lost her son, though much older, is coming up on the anniversary of his passing. I talked with her this morning for a moment and we shed some tears together. Time does not heal all wounds.
Humans are the only creature that shed tears for emotional reasons. Scientists have discovered that tears are good for us for different reasons. Tears cleanse our eyes of debris, remove bacteria and can even make us feel better, though the research is conflicted regarding this.
The Bible has something to say about tears also. One verse that is widely used to encourage people is Psalm 30:5b( NKJV) “Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.” Some people’s “night” seems to be much longer than others, and I won’t ever understand (on this side) why.
Tears were shed by Jesus, prompted because his friend, Lazarus, had passed away. You can read John 11:33-35 for an account of this.
We’re also promised that our tears are not wasted.
You have seen me tossing and turning through the night. You have collected all my tears and preserved them in your bottle! You have recorded every one in your book. – Psalm 56:8 TLB
The best promise Jesus leaves us with is when there will be no more tears. From a self-proclaimed cry-baby, I find it hard to imagine, but am looking forward to a day when it will be so.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” – Revelation 21:4 NLT
Does crying make you feel better or worse?
diary of a ragamuffin 