John 11:35

"Jesus wept" John 11:35

Last night, I wept. For those of you who know me, you know I seldom cry, let alone weep. Subtle as it may be, there is a difference between crying and weeping. I looked up the words in the Merriam-Webster on-line dictionary and learned the following. The definitions for CRY include:
1 : to call loudly
2 : to shed tears often noisily
3 : to utter a characteristic sound or call

and the definitions for WEEP include:
1 : to express deep sorrow for usually by shedding tears
2 : to pour forth (tears) from the eyes
3 : to express passion (as grief) by shedding tears

Now I have been known to call loudly, shed tears noisily, and utter characteristic sounds and calls, but last night I was expressing deep sorrow by shedding tears. I was surely weeping. This came about because I learned some painful news about an out of state friend who is currently going through a very difficult time. It is unnecessary for me to be specific, however I will say that my heart literally pains. Have you ever experienced your heart hurt (and not because you over-exercised!)? It is a very lonely and desperate experience.

I take comfort in knowing that my Lord knows exactly what it feels like to weep. Christ embraced the humanity of weeping when his friend, Lazarus, died. His fellow Jews could see how much He loved Lazarus by the emotions He he reflected. As I was dealing with my emotions last night, I was reminded of Jesus. I was not alone, Jesus was weeping with me. However, there was no need to despair because the creator of life has a plan (Jeremiah 29:11).

After Jesus wept over the death of Lazarus, He called him back to life. The grave clothes were removed and life was restored. I have no doubt the same can and will happen for my friend. At this very moment, Jesus is calling her back to "life" and He is waiting to remove her "grave clothes".

Is Jesus waiting to do the same in your life?

I am thankful for...

1. Melanie Chitwood.
2. having a coffee break with my friend Kristin.
3. Daniel being so good while I was having coffee.
4. my neighbor watching Michael while I ran errands.
5. Todd's last day of class.
6. being able to have silly conversations with my sister-in-law Carey. We have so much fun talking about totally ridiculous things. I love her so much!
7. my washer and dryer.
8. my gingerbread man socks that make me smile every time I wear them.
9. beautiful weather today.
10. God loving me so much that He became human and knows exactly I how I feel when I am sad, mad, confused, hurt, happy, etc...He knows....He always knows.