Tears, Shadows, and Jesus

“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 56:8

It seems that each year brings more tears. Not because of unhappiness in my own life, but because of the increasing weight of this fallen world. This week has been one of those that makes you question so much and just makes your heart so heavy it’s hard to breathe.

There are no magic words to make things better. There are no ways to immediately make pain go away. And there isn’t anything I can do to heal my friends’ broken hearts.

But Jesus can.

I have to think that in Heaven, there is one amazing storehouse, with shelves lining the walls, full of bottles. Not bottled water or Coke, but bottles of all different shapes and sizes…holding our tears. And that each time we cry, a new deposit is made. I imagine a book, a huge book, on a stand in the back. And after each new tear, another tally mark is put down under the name.

And although the day’s work could stop there, it doesn’t. Because at the end of the day, Jesus comes to check on things. He opens the book, and as He sees each new tally mark, He weeps for us because He understands the pain we feel.

But as we cry out for comfort, He shelters us with the peace that only He can give. We are never alone in our pain my precious friends.

Hazel asked me recently why we had shadows. I explained that the sun shines light, and whenever something gets in the way of the light, it forms a dark space on the ground. That is true, of course. But the more I think about it, the more I believe it is so we know we are never alone.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1

Think about your shadow for a minute. It can be long or short depending on the position of the sun. It can appear to go away in the evening, only to be brought back with a shining light. It may change shape or size, it may disappear for a time, but it never really leaves. And Jesus doesn’t either.

Oh my sweet friends, He is always there. When the weight of this world takes such a toll that you just want to hide under your covers and never come out again, remember that your tears haven’t gone to waste. Every one is accounted for. When you see your shadow, don’t think of it as darkness, but a reminder that you’re never alone.

Dear Jesus, We need you. We just need you. Please help us know you are near. In your sweet name, Amen.

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:8