You number my wanderings;
Put my tears into Your bottle
Are they not in Your book?
Psalm 56:8 NKJV
In early January of this year I was cleaning up the remains of all my Christmas decorations. It was time to put it all away. While I love Christmas and all that goes along with it, I always appreciate the feel of returning back to a normal routine. I had lit some Christmas candles for the last time before storing them away till next season, and when I blew them out, a tiny piece of soot flew up into my eye. I blinked a bit and tried to ignore it. I wanted to hurry and finish this clean-up project before the kids got home. But as I hurried through the house loading boxes full of stuff, my eye kept getting more and more irritated. As much as it was beginning to hurt, I just could not make myself sit down and take care of it — there was just too much to do, and I was on a deadline!
I needed to jolt my energy up a notch with more coffee, so I put my now cold mug into the microwave to heat it up. While I was waiting, I decided to check Twitter. And when I did I found a link to this. These are the beautiful pictures my friend Kristi Shores took with her precious family before she went to heaven. At the time the tweet was sent, Kristi was still on this earth and struggling bravely with cancer. When I opened the link to those pictures and began to look at them, all I could do was sit on my sofa and cry. As I was crying the strangest thought popped into my head:
“I’m so glad I am crying. I really needed to cry to get that soot out of my eye!” (What a crazy thing to think at such a moment, right?)
Right then God spoke to my heart:
“Sometimes that’s what suffering does for your soul too. It washes out the things that are hurting you.”
Stop. Wow.
Sometimes we walk around life busily doing whatever it is we do. But all the while we have specks in our eyes — areas that are not right that are hindering us from doing our best for God. Our best for the ones we love. The best for us. In a weird way that I totally don’t like, moments of (dare I even say it?) suffering force us to stop, and address those things that need to be addressed so we can move on. My hurt and grief over seeing my precious friend in what were basically her last days on earth made me stop, sit down and do what I had been needing to do for over an hour: cry. And when I did, my eye was better; I could see again. I could work better. I could move on.
Maybe you need to stop today and let God do the work of removing something that is keeping you from moving forward. Maybe you have put it off for too long because you are worried about facing the pain of change. Remember this: no tear is ever wasted. They are all kept, and every day of your story is written in His book.
this was so good…it really hit a nerve, in a good way. Thank you for sharing. xoxo
Soo beautiful…
Too good.
What an inspiring message! Thank you for sharing.
He holds each one of our tears in His hands.
That was amazing! Speaks right to something that happened/was discussed in our small group this week! Amazing how God brings those kinds of things full circle!
What an incredible word. Thanks for sharing.
OMGosh, that was incredible! Thanks for sharing! Reposting.
P.S. I miss our beautiful Kristi too….
What a wonderful story of God’s amazing ability to use a past memory to heal a current wound. I can’t wait to share this insiteful revelation with the ladies in my small group Monday night. Thank you Pastor Kerri for spending this precious story with us~
Pastor Kerri,
Thank you for sharing. I was having a “Missing Kristi Day” today. This is exactly how I felt, but couldn’t put words to it.
Love ya!
Linda
Wow, Thank you for that message. You know I find myself always trying to be so strong and pushing the tears back. I needed to be reminded of this…. I do so miss Kristi and my Father who went to be with the Lord this year.
Great Word, Kerri! I love it when God gives huge revelations during one of life’s “ordinary” moments. Even though I didn’t know her well, I love those pictures of Kristy and her family. They are so beautiful. I’m sorry your heart is hurting from missing her–I know so many people are feeling it too and I pray for you all. Thank you so much for sharing this story and the insight God gave you. You inspire me so much. Have a great weekend!
Thank you for sharing. Bless you Rubi
Such true words and a timely blog post. We do push our way through things so often and sometimes don’t stop to fully allow it to purify us. We don’t take the time to feel it, to acknowledge it, or to find the lesson. Instead it can clog us up.
An even bigger problem is when we just keep denying an emotion and allow it to eventually break us down. There are several people in my life (including me) that are facing things they have not wanted to deal with – and it is bringing such healing!
We had a special angel in our presence through Kristi. We all miss her dearly.
Thank you for sharing this Pastor Kerri!
Beautiful, So Profound, So perfect for my week. Thanks <3 You!!
Thanks everyone for your kind comments about this post. I was having a “missing Kristi moment” this week.
This was just…special. Thank you, beautiful.
So beautiful!
wow kerri that really touched me u are such a beautiful and amazing woman of god and so thankful for u. Amen . xoxo
I am Abigail Womack’s mother-in-law. Iwant to tell hopw thankful I am her finding Christians you and your Church. I enjoy the messages that you’ll to Abigail are so encourceing to her, Steve, and my boyes. I can not tell you enough how much we Love you’ll for taking The Stephen Womack
Dear Kerri,
Is that not why we love Him so? Is it not our busyness that keeps us from entering into the place of tears and cleansing? He waits for us and lifts Himself up calling to us, ” Do you sense my stirrings within? Do you feel me drawing you? Come and I will weep with you and from your wanderings and your sorrows I will give you a new song! Just come!”
I love you, Kerri!
Margie Houmes
@Gay thank u for taking time to write and say that– so happy that Abigail and steve are here with us!
@Margie love you too!!!
Very cool perspective. Tears really do wash away the impurities of pain so that you can start the healing process! Thanks, Kerri!
Pastor Kerri,
I have to say that was beautiful. It is great how God used a past memory to heal your pain. He is truely amazing and I am grateful for him. I am thankful he has given you the beautiful gift of sharing his word, encouraging and loving those he has called you to. May his sweet embrace be with you today and always. Your message was wonderful and helped me to reflect how the pain of my suffering caused me to be who I am today. I thank you for being a part of that process. So through reflection my heart says>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Tears do wash away the pain. Suffering does cause us to stop. It maybe a season that we need to stop and reflect on what the pain is from. How can we deal with it? How do we move on? As christian believers we all know the only true answer is God. He takes all our tears and pains , embraces us through all pain and suffering. He tenderly holds us and listens to our heart. Knowing each and every thought, and breath we take. He is the true living God. He capitivates our souls and opens our hearts as we reach to him for understanding, courage and strength through all trials and tribulations we may face.
Yes we all need to stop at times and sit in the presence of God looking and searching for his direction and guidance . We need to focus and praise him for all of our tribulations pain and suffering we endure. As we look back at them we will notice how they have made us who we are becoming and who we are today. Suffering is a more difficult process for those that are not christians. However as christian we have an advantage of feeling Gods sweet embrace in the admist of all suffering. As we seek God and pursue the change ,embrace the pain , face the challenge, lay down the hurt we begin to grow and mature in remarkable ways we could never have achieved on our own. So stop and allow God to heal your pain and hurts. Stop and feel the presence of his sweet, tender embrace as you allow the cleansing process from deep within your heart be purified and cleansed through Gods amazing love. When you do this you will be amazed as his grace, love, tender, merciful heart surrounds and protects you from snares that may come in your path. I am not saying there will not be more pain because there will be. I am saying it will be a renewed strength you have within your heart that brings you to a deeper level of maturity with God. He is your hope, strength and provider. He will teach you and guide you as you seek him and honor him all the days of your life. You need to diligently seek him through the suffering. Diligently call upon God and know he is there with you. Loving, embracing, encouraging, protecting and guiding you. So stop and allow God to remove all pain that is keeping you from moving forward.
Well that is my reflection. I enjoy writing and reflecting on topics so I hope it helps someone. May anyone that reads it be encouraged and strengthened today. Letting the sweetness of Gods beautiful , beautiful heart fill yours today and always as you truly see who you are in God.
Sent with much love,
Carolyn
That was beautiful! Thank you for sharing that!
There is so much truth in this, I lost my father past May and it’s been hard to let that go , I have it burden down in my heart , I love what you said no tear is wasted , Lord knows I shed my share of them and sometimes I sit and have a good cry then I feel better as he worked for God all his life for 49 yrs in Ministry before leaving this world he has his Robe and Crown awaiting him I am sure. He loved God and people he reminds me of your husband at such a younger age. we really have enjoyed worship and service with Celebration this little story was opened close to my heart. I can’t began to say how much I enjoyed it . touching