Tears

Tears; they seem to pop up sometimes when least expected while other times they are buried so deep in pain and sorrow that it is hard for them to find a pathway out. We are blessed at times with tears of joy, tears of love and tears of appreciation, but so many times tears are drama related where feelings have been hurt, frustration has set in, stress has taken its toll etc.  And this week one of those times came to a head for one of grandchildren.  In an effort to respect the privacy of this particular precious child, I will omit the name. It was an overshadowing loss of a spelling competition that was the last straw, and tears could not be controlled, and the hurdle of disappointment and righteous indignation could not be overcome.  Mom called as she was told the story and asked if I could think about it and maybe give her something, a story or verses or a tool she could use for explanation.  

She did her own homework for sure and came up with verses that were relative. She shared them in simple explanation while drawing was done by my little friend in a heart book that was established for the very purpose of being able to communicate without lecturing.  ( Mom would write a bible verse at the top of the page explain it simply and then encourage a discussion about the topic at hand while the child was drawing or putting stickers on it and such.  A very useful tool for mom and kids and God’s lessons.)  As I sat at my computer thinking about this, a strange concept came to mind that I thought maybe would easy enough for a young grandchild to understand. I share this with you because  in thinking about it further, I myself could use the analogy as a helpful tool in distinguishing my priorities and my tearful bouts.

I wrote a letter to my little friend, that mom read out loud and in part this was how it read:

It is not fun to cry, it makes you tired and sometimes even embarrassed, and your eyes turn red.  There are times when something really is sad and tears just have to come out or you might pop, but you have to know that tears for those things and tears for winning or losing a game or in different buckets. think about it this way: There is red bucket and it is for big tears for really sad stuff or when you fall and hurt your arm or leg or something, or get your finger smashed in the door or someone that you love gets hurt.  Then there is a blue bucket for tears that are coming becasue you want to be first or you didn’t get something that you wanted, or someone else is faster or more able to do a skill that you have not yet mastered.   The red bucket is probably a lot bigger becasue it has to hold bigger and sadder times, the blue bucket probably has a big hole in so that those tears, even if they spring up in surprise, don’t last very long.  Jesus wants us to learn to get rid of that blue bucket.  To not ever have to use it. Because the blue bucket is when we about thinking about our own self, and how we want to win, and how we want to be the best and not thinking about others.  It is ok to win but it is also ok to lose.  The real winners, the lasting winners are the ones who know Jesus is their best friend FOREVER. And in his eyes you are a winner no matter what happens in the games you play.  When you are on Jesus’s team, he never loses. never ever ever. 

We are all going to get our feelings hurt and be disappointed and be offended by others and what they do or don’t do or what they say or don’t say but God has given us the gift of self control through His strength. We are going to at some point be laden with red bucket tears for all kinds of real reasons, and they hurt sometimes for a long while until God’s balm of comfort finally is able to heal the wounded heart and soul or body.  Oh but the blue bucket tears can be controlled and many times just completely sidestepped.  In bible study yesterday at Second Baptist, Pam gave a most wonderful visual of being trapped in an offense. A trap is a simple mechanical mechanism designed to imprison likely prey.  In our case we are the likely candidates for the enemy. The bait is set, and a spring loaded mechanism is set to activate and quickly close an open door which imprisons the culprit.  The bait is alluring and something that clearly is a temptation. It something that entraps the heart and tempts the one who gets too close. So many times the blue bucket tears are merely a consequence of our own footing.  And to avoid the traps we have to be on guard and ask God to help us recognize them and step around them rather than step into them.  

Mom sent this child to school with a gentle reminder to stay away from the blue bucket tears. And sure enough the day was a great success. As it is with us when we depend on God for our self control and guard our hearts and minds from getting too close to danger.

We know where are danger zones are and the places where we are sensitive and have a tendency to fall into a trap of envy, or discouragement, or self centered behavior. Oh but so does God, and it is through his wisdom and guidance that he will keep us clear of the hidden traps and agendas that vie to catch us off guard and trap us. We only need to not only ask for His help but accept it.

Psalm 56:8

Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll— are they not in your record?

2 Peter 1:5-7

⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the many times that I know you have helped me sidestep traps, and also for those times that I have stepped into the traps and you have come and set me free. Lord, help me to get rid of my blue bucket tears that are generated by self centered

initiatives, and set me free to live in trust and faith that you are the great overseer, and your ways, though they are not my ways are

the best ways.  Amen     

         

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!