Tears That Burn, Tears That Bathe

I have cried many tears in my life.  I know now that You don’t ignore a single one, Lord.

“You have taken account of my wanderings.  Put my tears in Your bottle — are they not in Your book?”  (Psalm 56:8, NASB)

Many of my tears were Tears that Burn.

Tears that were the overflow of corrosion occurring within.  The acid of bitterness, hatred, hopelessness and despair.  Filling — and killing — my mind, heart and body.

But thanks to You, Lord, there have been many more tears of a very different kind.

Tears that Bathe.

Tears of Healthy Grief… cried in the realness of Your embrace, even in the rawness of real loss.

Tears of Healing Grace… cried in the wonder of a broken heart made whole “again.”  Even a broken heart made whole for the very first time.

Tears of Heartfelt Gratitude… cried in the comfort and confidence of knowing You are always here with me.  And knowing You are always more than enough for whatever I may encounter.

“I have told you these things. so that in Me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:33)

Miraculously, You even turn the tears that once burned into the very tears that later bathe.

“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.  Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.”  (Psalm 126:5-6)

Maybe that’s why tears brimmed in my eyes as I sat with You this morning, Lord.

As I remembered…

All that I was before You made Yourself known to me.  In those years when You were invisible to me… but still very much there.  Keeping me alive.

The enemy thought he had me forever.  He almost had me convinced, too.  But he misjudged Your Heart for me, Lord.  The Heart I had not yet come to know or trust.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.  I will build you up again…”  (Jeremiah 31:3-4a)

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.”  (Isaiah 43:1)

Normally I shower in the morning.  But today, I bathed once again.

In tears that testify to Healthy Grief, Healing Grace and Heartfelt Gratitude.

Tears that flow from every close encounter with the One who is Heaven’s Glory…

… the Life of my spirit…

… the Lover of my soul.

Abba’s Girl

 

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