Hiding My Tears

For years I kept my tears far from the eyes of anyone else. I simply refused to cry. Hiding my tears started with one little tooth. "Just tilt your head back, close your eyes, and I'll yank it out on the count of three...Ready? 1...2...3!"

I was only six, too little for that sharp surge of pain that rushed through my mouth. So, of course, it was only natural that I burst into tears. 

"You big cry baby!"

The big, heroic tooth extractor laughed. That's my dad for you. 

All I could do was whimper amid muffled sobs, "But it hurts!" My historic moment of bravery turned into the pathetic flop. I had proved myself an official wimp. 

That day sealed the deal. Crying became a strictly private and pretty much nonexistent affair...even into my adult years. Anytime I felt tears coming, like a dam about to burst, I forced them to stay where I thought they belonged: hidden deep within my soul for no one else to see. 

When I stumbled across these two treasured line in Psalm 56:8, 

my perspective on crying changed: "Record my misery;list my tears on your scroll-are they not in your record?"

I couldn't believe it. God has kept a record of my tears! 

Isn't it amazing to think each droplet we've shed over our years of experiences (including losing our first tooth) has been listed on God's scroll-held near and dear to our Father's heart?

You see, God doesn't laugh when we cry. 

He doesn't tell us to toughen up or turn the page on our tears like they don't exist. 

Instead, he picks us up and puts us on his lap and wraps us in his loving arms as we pour out our hearts to him. Our Lord loves for us to let him in on our deepest-felt emotions. 

I wonder what might cause yours tears to flow right now;unanswered prayers....unset promises...uncertainties of life. They are seen by the One who comforts and cares for your need. 

Whatever is holding you back, may I encourage you? 

Open the floodgate of your heart and release your tears. Sit quietly with the Lord and listen. Journal. Or take a walk and give your tears to him. His arms are open, and he is waiting for you to come to him. 

-Ali Smith 

{2 Kings 20:4-5}

4 But before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, this message came to him from the Lord: 

 5 “Go back to Hezekiah, the leader of my people. Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you, and three days from now you will get out of bed and go to the Temple of the Lord. 

{Psalm 56:8}

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 62:8}

O my people, trust in him at all times.

Pour out your heart to him,

for God is our refuge.

 

{2 Corinthians 1:3-5}

3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.  

4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 

 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.