"Tears"

Some folks say they never cry,

I think I understand,

Could be scared to lose control,

Or get right out of hand.

Or maybe they’re just stoic,

Don’t allow themselves to feel,

Better that it’s all inside,

And think it’s no big deal.

Maybe cowboy up real tough,

And never show your pain,

Never let ‘em see you cry,

Admit nothing but gain.

Maybe think it’s weakness,

To go there very much,

Think just get on past it,

To keep a stronger touch.

And I’ve been all those places,

But lately I can say,

Tears come unexpected,

Can happen anyday.

A song or just a memory,

A moment, that one time,

And I get all emotional,

All part of life’s big climb.

I’ve wondered if it’s all because,

I’m now an older man,

Perhaps my heart has gotten full,

I cry because I can.

And now the tears have value,

Though this is new to me,

I went years without a cry,

And now they’re here, you see.

But not just therapeutic,

Maybe they can give,

Life to seeds I’ve planted,

And need a chance to live.

I think they are the waters,

That pour upon our dreams,

And quicken there a blessing,

That’s just the way it seems.

So if your tears are falling,

Don’t try to stop too fast,

They may help you say good-bye,

And welcome what will last.

Sow the seeds while crying,

That’s what the Psalmist told,

And you will come rejoicing,

With the harvest that you hold.

“Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy…” (Psalm 126:5, NLT)

I’ve always assumed this meant that the person was weeping because they were sowing. This may be true. But I have come to believe that the person sowing the seeds may be doing so because of a broken heart over some other issue, but they don’t allow their tears to keep them from sowing the seeds. They keep on, anyway, even though they are tempted to stop. Even though their emotions threaten to paralyze them entirely, they say no to that option and find a way to keep on going, with God’s help. Keeping on can be very uphill, but the alternative, giving up, is worse. Maybe the sowing season always involves emotional upheaval and tears in some form or another. And my experience tells me the harvest is always joyful. One conclusion I draw, and consider a lesson to be learned, is to stop avoiding tears and go ahead and let them flow. It really is okay.

Lord, help us sow seeds while crying, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Mark Maggiori, markmaggiori.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Mark, and God bless you.