Saturday, November 26, 2022

Sowing in Tears

Psalm 126

It's early - still dark outside.  The faithful one is up and sitting quietly with the Lord.  She is tired but full of hope.  Her questions are many.  Will the cries of my heart receive swift action from on high today?  Will the bills get paid?  Will my wayward child finally return to his rightful place at the Lord's table?  Will my neighbor be healed?  Will God use my next prayer-sermon-song-conversation-idea as a catalyst for spiritual awakening among the people I serve?  

And the tears flow sliding down her cheeks.  She wipes them, for they are not tears of fear or anger or doubt or lack of determination.  They are the tears of hope experienced by one who fully believes in the power and promises of God.  She questions not His faithfulness but her own patience in seeing the fulfillment of all He has planned.  She renews her mind as she sows in tears.  She renews her devotion as she sows in tears.  She renews her plans as she sows in tears.  She laughs.  When will I reap with songs of joy?

Her quiet preparation for the day is your preparation for the day.  Her name is your name.  Her tears are your tears.  You will reap with songs of joy with her because you too are a child of God - the One who turns small seeds for sowing into bundles of joyful songs.  You see, God moves from small to big; from hidden to revealed; from unnoticed to displayed; and from confusion to clarity.  But through it all He lovingly and faithfully shows that He is for you not against you.  He is the giver of life and strength.  He is Truth.  He takes her hand and leads her out for another day with Him.  

She is you.


Ex nihilo,


R.J. Rhoden