Joel 2:12

It starts with a feeling that begins somewhere deep within the soul. It fills your body, taking over your senses; taking over your mind, your self-control. Then, like a drop of rain that signals a downpour, your eyes fill up and the tears begin to fall. You're in the grip of a good cry. When it comes, you're powerless to stop it. But, before long, your emotions are literally poured out...and, this is a good thing.

Why we cry may seem obvious.  You're happy or your sad.  But, in truth that is too simplistic.  Crying is a natural physiological response to feelings that are triggered by emotions.  For men, typically the tears do not come easy.  Up until recently, crying was seen as a sign of weakness in a man's character.  Fortunately, this myth has been debunked in this century and men are given more liberty to bawl their eyes out from time to time.  Even President George Bush's tears were seen as heartfelt when he cried over the events of September 11th, 2001.  And, any man in a service uniform who sheds a tear or two during the national anthem is given the respect of a hero.

For some of us, crying comes much easier.   Our kids cry when their feelings are injured, when we leave them with the sitter, or when they are asked to hug a relative they view as a stranger.  Some of us cry when watching a movie, listening to a song, when a passing thought runs across our minds, when we've hit the lotto jackpot, when we're slapped with a lawsuit, when our children make us proud, when the daughter gets married. We cry tears of revenge, seduction, escape and empathy; tears of pleasure and pain. The biblical history of tears shows us David crying at the death of Absalom, Abraham over the death of Sarah. Joseph bawled when meeting Benjamin. And, Jesus wept, according to that famously short verse in John's gospel.

Some even have the ability to get a little misty on cue. Jimmy Swaggart wept in an attempt to keep his ministry afloat. Sally Struthers got teary on TV when she'd plead for support for Save the Children.  And, we all remember Tammy Faye Baker's weeping escapades that single-handedly assured her favorite mascara brand a long and bright economic future.

The prophet Joel is convinced that our tears must be genuine.  Joel calls for a return to God with all your heart.  God isn't interested in crocodile tears, or any other tears used to manipulate others.  Nor is God interested in the physiological explanation for why we cry.  God wants the tears that open us up, make us vulnerable, and signal to us a necessity for an authentic change of heart.  These are the tears of repentance.  These are the tears that lead to salvation.  

Why we cry may be somewhat of a mystery, but the cathartic blessing they bring is not.  Jesus taught his followers in the Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are those who mourn."  Entrust your tears to God, and He will make it rain with grace and mercy.  Here is where our tears of shame and hurt are turned to tears of joy and release.  God's forgiveness knows no boundaries; His joy no restraint. When we weep the tears of genuine hurt or repentance, we are crying the tears of new life.  This is a good, indeed a very good, thing!

The pupil dilates in darkness and in the end finds light, 

just as the soul dilates in misfortune and in the end finds God.

-Victor Hugo, Les Miserables.

 Heavenly Father, on this Ash Wednesday, may I return to you with all my heart.  Amen