* Each Tear is a Prayer

I’ve shed a lot of tears over the years because well, I’m a crier. I still am not sure if that is a good thing or not but I can tell you that when somethings happens that stirs my emotions, I will probably shed a few tears or at least get a little misty eyed. Whenever we watched a movie or even a touching commercial (Hallmark you get me every time) as a family, my boys would always look over at me and say “tear check” because they knew I would be crying. For me, tears just provide that release of emotions that I need at the moment.

Over the last few days I have been shedding a lot of tears due to the dire circumstances being faced by many of our communities here in North Carolina. The little town where my son lives has been forever changed by the destruction caused by Hurricane Florence. The damage will take years to restore and peoples’ daily lives will be disrupted for a very long time. My Mama’s little rural community was entirely covered by flood waters for yet a second time in 19 years. My brother and his wife lost all their belongings in the flood. These are my friends and family. So yes, I’ve shed many tears from just shear heartbreak this past week.

During the days, weeks and months after my cancer diagnosis, it was hard to verbalize what I was feeling. My emotions ran high due to fear, frustration and exhaustion. Again, I shed lots of tears. I cried out to God many times through my tears not even knowing what to say or how to ask for help. My tears were my words.

Someone once told me that each tear is a prayer. If that’s the case, I sure have offered up a lot of prayers. It does give me encouragement and hope though that even when I cannot understand my situation it is okay because God does. He sees my tears and He listens to my heart. He understands my needs even when I cannot. So, go ahead and cry. Shed those tears and offer up those tiny prayers for yourself and others who are hurting. God is listening.

Blessings, Cindy J