NO TEARS IN HEAVEN
Let me start by admitting that I am a crier. I cry at the drop of a hat, and I am not a pretty crier. I think that I see it as a weakness, and I don’t want to appear weak. Some things I know will bring on the waterworks, and other things are a complete surprise. Would you think that watching a child’s cartoon would send tears streaming down your face? How about watching a television commercial; would you believe that you would need a box of Kleenex? It doesn’t matter if I attend a funeral, a wedding, or a Baptism, you can rest assured that at some point I am going to start crying. Therefore, I go to great lengths not to cry and will try to keep from putting myself in situations that I know will make me cry. I try to carry travel-size Kleenex in my purse. If I start to cry, then I dab at the corners of my eyes, (all lady-like) so that the tears don’t do too much damage to my makeup.
It was an unexpected moment this past week that had tears running down my face. I had read on FaceBook that a lady that I knew had passed away. I knew her, but we were not “friends,” more like acquaintances, but I thought that she was very sweet and nice from what I knew of her. Her husband came into work to get a piece of equipment to help with digging her grave, and he walked over to my desk. I wasn’t positive that it was “his” wife who had passed away, so I didn’t mention anything and instead made some small talk. But, we eventually got around to that subject, and I could feel the tears starting to form. Even though we were not close, I think he needed to talk. He talked, and I listened, and then he began to cry. He cried, and I cried with him. He was the one who was having to go through the process, but I realized that I could be there to help ease his pain just by showing empathy.
Romans 12:15
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
1 Corinthians 10:24
24 Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.
Romans 15:1
15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
Those Bible verses spoke to me…LOUDLY. I think they were saying, (loosely interrupted) it is about them, not YOU. And then I came across this verse, and it kicked my tail to the curb.
Galatians 6:2-3
2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
YOU ARE NOT THAT IMPORTANT! Wow! That verse really put it all in perspective for me. Was I really worrying about how I “looked” when I cried, how my makeup was smearing, or that I might appear weak? I AM NOT THAT IMPORTANT!!!
I am comforted that there will be no tears in Heaven. But, just in case I should ever wonder in the future what I should do, this verse will remind me.
Luke 6:32
31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
I hope you have a Blessed Day!
Love this! I am facing some challenges right now and some of my concerns are very selfish! Thank you for the reminder that we should focus on helping others and not make everything about ourselves. I bet that if I did that, the Lord would make sure my concerns are taken care of.
Beautiful post!
I have unfortunately been on the other side, having lost a young son to leukemia. Most people want to talk about their loved one and you did the right thing listening and sharing his tears. Beautiful post, thank you.
Sue, I am so sorry. Being on the other side is much worse, and I feel silly worrying about my tears. I remember when Joe’s friend lost his wife and he wanted to talk about her to Joe. Joe said that he didn’t know what to do for him. I told him to just be there for his friend, and listen. He needed to talk.
Thanks for this post. So many people need to hear this message. You write such good Sunday messages! Thank you
Teresa, you really know how to make my day!
I’m tearing up just reading this. There are homeless people every where these days, especially here in Las Vegas, and I find myself tearing up or have tears rolling down my face when I see them. The homeless youth especially get to me as I think about my own kids and can’t imagine them in that situation. A few nights ago I was walking out of a grocery store when a young guy sitting on the ground called to me but I was so startled that I quickly went to my car. I took some money out of my wallet, but shamefully was so scared to go out to give it to him and that made me cry even more. I donate directly to organizations all the time, but I’m sure a lot of the homeless probably don’t have the wherewithal to even know where to go get help.
I can’t imagine having to see the homeless and feeling so helpless. Your heart is in the right place. I am like you though, I worry that the money might not make it into the hands of the people who need it most.
We all need people to help us cry ???
I agree, Judy.