Cry A River or A Bucket of Tears

The baby of our family grew into adulthood being known as a cry baby and bucket of tears. As a girl, young woman, and full-fledged adult could cry on demand. They were real, crocodile tears. Some would settle in the pronounced dimple on her chin that was identical to our dad’s.

As a child, I was just the opposite.  It took a mighty move of God for me to cry. As a spiritually mature woman, I have been amazed at what will bring me to tears. I weep when I’m happy and I weep when I’m sad. My baby sister doesn’t cry so easily anymore and the family has given me the bucket of tears title.

I like my happy tears. Clarissa Estés says, “Tears are a river that takes you somewhere... Tears lift your boat off the rocks, off dry ground, carrying it down river to someplace new, someplace better.”

Tears flow easily when I am uplifted and euphoric in the presence of the Lord. These tears take me someplace better, not that I was in a bad place at the start.
Yesterday was a weepy joyful day for me. When I quiet everything around me and listen, I learn. I hear God speaking to me.  I fall in love with Him all over again. These are the sweetest, most indescribable times of spiritual intimacy with Abba Father ever! I am immersed in His love and a river of tears takes me away.

I begin to worship Him and He fills me to overflowing with His precious love. "Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in him and him in me.”  (Psalm 23:6)

Sometimes, I cry more than a bucket of tears. Like yesterday, I cried a river.

© 2011 Avis Ward