Dear mama,
I see you.
I see those tears that you shed over a sleepless night. I see those tears running down your cheeks as you talk to the Lord about your frustrations and desires. I see those tears of joy as you watch your child take his first step. I see those tears of aching as you drop your child off for his first day of school. I see those tears of pride as you watch your child walk down the aisle in her wedding dress. I see your tears of wonder as you hold your newborn grand baby in your arms.
I see you… because I’ve shed some of those same tears.
Too often we chide ourselves for being “silly” and wishing we were stronger. We brush away the silent tears that sneak down our cheeks and hope that no one saw. We cry out to God with groans of sadness over the sins of a child. Our pillow absorbs the silent tears that we cry at night because we feel like we aren’t good enough, haven’t done enough, said something we shouldn’t have, acted in anger and frustration.
But sweet mama… those tears aren’t for nothing.
You are filling your well.
Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee: in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well.”
Psalms 84:5-6a
We all have our “valley of Baca” or our time of weeping.
But did you know dear mama that when the Lord is your strength and your heart desires the things of the Lord, your crying is filling a well?
Those tears aren’t just an outpouring…they are a filling.
They are filling your heart with a peace that passes understanding. They are flooding heaven with prayers of a sincere and honest heart. They are filling the space where words fail us. They are our memories floating down the river of time. They are the desire and emotions of a mother’s heart that fill our children with security, love and joy.
Your tears are not wasted… they are filling the well of life.
We pour out so much of ourselves. We grow weary. But it’s in those moments of weakness that we realize our own strength is insufficient. We let go of our selfish desires. We re-evaluate, re-commit, re-energize.
We pour out our sadness. We pour out our joy. We pour out our hurt. We pour out our emotions.
And in turn, we are filled with more of the Lord.
Weeping may come for the night, but joy will come in the morning. Pass through that valley of Baca, but don’t stay there. Fill your well and then use it to bless others.
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee.”
Psalms 30:11-12a
Why do we cry? So that we can better praise the Lord. We can sing of his mercies, his grace, his peace. We can tell others of his great love and unending joy. We can speak of his countless blessing, of his immeasurable grace, his physical provision.
Weep and fill your well. Then lower that bucket, scoop up the living water, and share it with others.
