TERRE HAUTE —
I admit it. I cry. A lot. I cry when I watch TV, for those Hallmark commercials get me every time. I have even cried while watching reruns of Law and Order, for goodness’ sake!
A good book will make me cry, and I don’t think I’ve ever been to a wedding or a funeral when I haven’t produced a tear or two. I don’t think I’ve ever gone to a movie without grabbing some extra napkins with my popcorn — not to wipe my hands from the popcorn residue, but to wipe my face from my tear residue. I know I will cry during a movie. I mean, if Ice Age, makes me cry, any movie will!
I cry when I’m happy and when I’m sad, when I’m nervous and when I’m excited. I cry when I’m scared, when I’m contented. And I still can’t hear my grandchildren say, “I love you” without at least a little misting of the eyes.
I cry. A lot. But really … do I cry enough?
When I realize all God has done for me, do I cry in worship? Do I cry in wonder when I remember the sacrifice Jesus made for my sins? Do I cry at the awesome beauty of a sunset? Do I cry at God’s promise to Noah (that I can see with my own eyes hundred of years after Noah’s death) that is present in a rainbow? Do I cry in wonder when I sing things like “And when I think, that God his Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in?” Do I cry with joy when I sing about trading my sorrows, shame, and pain by “laying them down for the joy of Lord?”
Do I cry tears of gratitude for God’s provision when I cash my paycheck? Do I cry with compassion when I see my brothers and sisters in pain? Do I shed tears of compassion and grief when I pray for others? Do I intercede for others so fervently that I cry for them in their time of need?
Do I cry when I am faced with my own sins? Do I cry sorrowful tears when I confess those sins to my God?
Psalm 51:17 says, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
If our broken spirits come from circumstances like death, illness or loss, there will be tears of sorrow. But there should also be tears of sorrow when we realize our spirits should be broken with the weight of our sin and selfishness. We want to do what we want to do the way we want to do it. We also want what we want when we want it. When we understand that about ourselves, when our spirits are broken to our own desires, then it follows that we will sacrifice our own desires for the desires of God. Our hearts will be contrite, tearfully seeking forgiveness.
Yes, we cry…but do we cry enough?
Verna Davis, speaker and writer, maybe reached at VrdSpeaks@yahoo.com.
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