I heard someone say today, “I don’t know what to believe, what’s REAL, anymore!”, and it struck a chord with me.
I’ve found myself crying more, praying more, sleeping more, and still, the pain remains. I’ve been reflecting on this pain and trying to understand the purpose of it all. I’ve been in pain before...
Last night, I left my home to escape all the “Loud Noises” that seem to be happening. It became too much for me to handle any more.
I cried today. Multiple times, actually. I cried over things that have been lost. I cried about losing my Dad, back in January. About losing my beautiful daughter back in 2016. About not getting to see my students since mid-March. About the devastation in our community from the tornadoes that ripped through just a few days ago. About all the unknowns regarding this COVID crisis. I cried today. And that’s okay. It wasn’t the first time I cried over these things, and it probably won’t be the last.
You see, I know that tears are part of the healing process. Even Jesus wept. (John 11:35) So, if you cried today, that’s okay. God sees our tears (Isaiah 38:4). Scripture says He collects our tears in His bottle (Psalm 56:8), so they must be worth something to Him. There is value in tears. I believe they can be used as a healing balm, for ourselves, or others. Sometimes, it helps just to let the tears out and release some of the pain and angst we’ve been holding on to. Perhaps, instead of just “sucking it up”, we should actually “let it flow”. Like streams in the desert.
These past few months sure have been desert-like for me. I’m parched. How about you? Have you had a good cry lately? I want to encourage you to let it out. Let the streams of healing begin to flow. This is such a strange season we are all living in, but God is with us. He is here in our desert place. He is faithful. Let him bottle your tears and use them for HIS greater glory, in your life and the lives of others. And because of His great love for us, we can press on knowing that one day there will be no more tears. No more pain. No more sorrow.
He will swallow up death for all time, And the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces, And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; For the Lord has spoken. Isaiah 25:8
Until then, it’s okay to cry.
Today was Day 23 of Social Distancing/Quarantine for our family, and we find ourselves beginning to feel the strain of it all set in. I woke up this morning and had a moment where I thought, “Why even get up? What am I going to do today?” Yeah, the pressure of it all is getting to me. The fear of the unknown, the overwhelming range of emotions, the frustrations of inconveniences, and the list goes on. I’m beginning to feel like my Mawmaw’s old time pressure cooker, just rattling and ready to blow. Is it just me or can you relate? These are strange times we are living in, no doubt, but one thing I know for sure…God has it ALL under control. So, I pause before I decide to roll out of bed and figure out what my purpose for today is. I pause to pray.
God, help me see and hear you today. Help me to find purpose today. Help me to love you and love others today. I don’t know what that will look like, since I’ll just be here at home (again) all day, but help me, Lord. I need you.
And that’s how my day began. First lesson from Co-vid 19 - Talk to God. It doesn’t have to be long, elaborate, or poetic. Just speak from your heart. Be real with Him. Be honest about what you’re feeling. He can handle it. He knows you. He made you. He loves you, warts and all. I’m so thankful for that. I don’t have to be “cleaned up” to commune with Him. I just have to call to Him, and He is there. He always shows up.
After checking the weather report, I decide I’ll do some sunbathing and read a little more of a book I’ve started. It doesn’t take me long to realize there are more productive things I could be doing in the backyard with all this time I have on my hands. So, I break out the pressure washer and decide to get going with it. I start with the outdoor furniture, then cushions, then the concrete. It’s so rewarding to see the immediate results when you pressure wash stuff, isn’t it?
As I’m on this high pressure cleaning spree, I heard the Lord speak. He whispered to my heart, “Sometimes it takes pressure to make things clean.” WOAH. What, did you say, Lord? Is that what is happening right now? With me? With the world? Are we being “Pressure Washed”? Maybe, just maybe, God is trying to clean our hearts and lives from all the dirt that has been building up and help us find our way back to the things that really matter….faith, family, and just being still. I know some people may not understand the way my mind works, but I promise you, I had a moment with God today in the backyard and my short, simple, morning prayer was answered.
Here’s the hard part…I don’t think we are going to see the same kind of quick results that typically come with pressure washing. BUT, I DO think there is a cleansing happening and things will look a LOT different when it is all said and done. And that excites my heart…to see what God is up to in all of this. I know He works ALL things together for good (Romans 8:28) and He makes ALL things new (Revelation 21:5).
As we continue to walk through these days and weeks ahead, and the pressure begins to build, I want to encourage you to: Pause, Pray, and let God “pressure wash” you.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of you faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3
Until next time…Live well & Love well!
Through encouraging these believers by pointing out their faithfulness, Paul gives us a snapshot of how we should live as Christians in a secular and sometimes hostile society.
“Everything in your life is a reflection of a CHOICE you have made. If you want a different result, make a different CHOICE.”
I ran across this quote recently and my belief is that if you are looking for something different in your life, regardless of your present circumstances or situation, you are simply one choice away from changing it.