He STILL Speaks 'Cry' ...

I have been thinking about this post for several days. Yet, for some reason, it would not come together … until today. Today it became personal & compelling … again

I heard about a young lady who lost her job. Yes, twelve days before Christmas. The reasons behind it are not the pressing matters for me. It is the true concern for the person, the hurting and disappointed person - at a time of year that should be filled with joy and happy memories. My heart was broken for her.

It made me think – again – about the countless number of individuals who are not experiencing ‘the most wonderful time of the year’. Whether it be the loss of a job, the loss of a loved one, the sting of loneliness or the stress of insufficient funds – this can be a very difficult time of the year. It can be a time filled with teary and sobbing nights.

It made me think back to a post that I wrote years ago:  'He Speaks 'Cry'...'

In that post, I wrote [in part] about a situation, a conversation that I was having with a close friend and:

“We were discussing how it appeared that everything you prayed for as a new Christian got responded to quickly and affirmatively but how that does not appear to be the case once you have some years of walking in faith.

My best attempt to reconcile this was to liken it to when my children were babies. I knew that they were completely dependent upon me and unable to fend for themselves. They would cry, and I would respond, quickly and affirmatively. I learned what the different cries meant.

There was a cry that meant ‘Change me’ and there was the cry that meant ‘Feed me’ and the cry that meant ‘Burp me, please … I am about to explode!’  There was the cry that said ‘I’m sleepy’ and, of course, there was the cry that simply meant, ‘Please hold me ... I just need to know you are near.’ 

They would cry and I would respond. That was my job as a loving parent. However, there was also a point where they had to use the language that I taught them and they would have to verbalize what they needed/desired before they would receive. They had to grow up.

It was a great discussion on spiritual maturity. However, God always has something else in store. He always keeps me balanced. Therefore, even as I talked about the need for maturity as a Christian, He let me know that He is still that same loving parent – despite the fact that He calls us to mature.”

In that post I went on to describe a challenging situation which occurred:

“I received a terrible report – one which sent me reeling and almost caused me to faint. However, the LORD caught me and pulled me back to center, reminding me who He is and what He has said. And He let me know that He cares for me so deeply. And as I listened this week to a speaker online, that intense love that He has for me captivated me.”

A ministry, which was a tremendous blessing to me during a very faith-filled but challenging stretch of my journey, was having a conference. This is what I wrote seven years ago in response to that message …

“… the guest speaker for Wednesday was Sheryl Brady. It was powerful! She shared her heart about the overwhelming love and presence of God. And something happened at the 50:58 mark of the video clip when she said these words … 'He even understands what the tear meant that rolled down your face in the middle of the night across the bridge of your nose onto your pillow … He hears and He knows. He knows what you’re saying and He knows what you’re not saying…’

Those words arrested me and reminded me that, even though He does require that I grow up and use the language that He gave me, He understands when I cannot utter a word. He knows my heart when I cannot form a word and all I can do is cry. He speaks and understands 'cry', a fact that is powerful yet not entirely surprising. We are made in His image after all. As a mom I could understand the cries of my children because I am crafted in the image of God who speaks and understands 'cry'.

Indeed, He knows the meaning of every tear, every sob and every sigh. And when I weep, shedding more tears that can be counted (by me), crying what becomes a flowing stream or river, He sees each individual tear and can tell what each one represents. Then He responds.”

I went on to reference the love of a parent … but how that pales in comparison to the love of GOD.

“I have a wonderful mom and God has privileged me with the awesome responsibility of being a mom. However, more than that, I am thankful that I have a Father, my Heavenly Father, who loves me and knows me and understands me even when I revert to being a child.

-          He hears my cries and He knows what each one means without me speaking a word

-          He knows the cry that begs ‘Change me … I cannot change myself’

-          He translates the cry which says ‘I am hungry for YOU … please feed me'

-          He understands the cry that screams ‘I am about to explode!’

-          He knows that one tear that says ‘I am so tired I don't know what to do’

-          He comprehends the river of tears which whisper ‘I need You to hold me, to know that you are not only near, but here.'

I love that about Him! And today I want to encourage you. If all you can do is cry, if you wonder if He sees that one solitary tear, when you ponder whether He knows what it means ... take confidence that He knows and He cares and He is attending to every need.”

Fast forward to this week –

This past Sunday, I went to church like I always do. And after church, I decided to go spend some time with my mom. Now, anyone who has a parent with Alzheimer’s knows that some days can be much better than others. Well, Sunday was not a ‘much better’ day. In fact, it was a ‘much worse’ day than any we have had in a while. Her confusion was at an all-time high. Couple that with the fact that she is currently in a facility that I have been trying to figure out a way to get her out of since she arrived back in August … and it made for a very challenging day for me.

After I kissed her goodbye, I took that long walk to the front entrance/exit, pulled my jacket closed and hurried through the rain, across the parking lot to my car. Once inside – before I could even get the key in the ignition – I burst into tears. It was as if a levee had broken. I could scarcely find words to speak but somehow mustered up just enough strength to say, ‘God I know You’re still in control … help me please.’

It took me back to that post I had written all those years ago

And as I drove home that rainy day, I kept telling myself, ‘He still speaks cry.’

Well this past Tuesday – He turned my tears to joy

I received an early Christmas present … a way out for my Mom!

He is such an amazing and faithful GOD!

AND –

While He loves us all uniquely, the important fact is that HE LOVES US ALL

So, I will close by saying this:

If you cannot find the words, it is alright to cry. HE UNDERSTANDS ‘CRY’

If your eyes are misting just thinking about your issues, go right ahead and cry. HE SPEAKS ‘CRY’

YOU CAN TRUST HIM WITH YOUR TEARS

He cares for that which concerns you (I Peter 5:7) and He loved us all so much that He sent Jesus to die for us (John 3:16). He speaks every language under heaven and ...

He STILL speaks and understands ‘CRY’.

Be encouraged My Friend and know I am praying with you and for you …

Have a Blessed Evening!