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| (Flickr photo credit: by Mac(3) ) |
And there you are, tears streaming down your face as you scramble through your purse looking for a Kleenex in front of the stupid hamburger packages. Of course you don’t have a tissue and now your nose has started to run, too, and then there’s a nudge on your elbow. A meat department employee rips a sheet off the roll of paper towels and hands it to you. “I’m sorry we just can’t keep these prices down, ma’am.”
We live in a world that doesn’t understand tears. Sometimes we don’t understand them ourselves. They just happen it seems. And always at the worst of times.
Kelly, a widow and dear WCP and Facebook friend, shared some things with me about tears that I’d like to share with you.
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”God gave us the gift of tears, and if it didn't serve any purpose He would not have given it to us.
There are three types of tears. Basal tears are the ones in our eyes that keep them moist and protected on a daily basis. Irritant tears are the ones that come when it's windy, or when something irritates your eyes, like onions!
Then there are emotional tears, the third type. It is a scientific fact that humans are the only species that shed emotional tears. Emotional tears contain much more, maybe 25% more, than basal or irritant tears of a certain important ingredient: proteins.
The proteins found in emotional tears are hormones that build up to very high levels when the body withstands emotional stress. It we didn't cry or sweat, those hormones would build up to levels that would weaken our immune system and other biological processes.
See? Tears are God’s gift, and we should use that gift as often as necessary. I thank the Lord every day for providing me with so many non-material gifts.
So cry when your heart is aching, because short of allowing your husband to come down and comfort you, tears are God's way of easing you through this life.”
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I’m glad Kelly shared this with me. Tears are nothing to be ashamed of; in fact, they’re a healthy release!
She got her information off this college website of student papers:
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1825
Kelly says, “You can see by reading the whole article that the writer believes it is an "evolutionary" thing that we have this ability to shed emotional tears, and there is no mention of God whatsoever. But sometimes is it good to know there is scientific fact behind something we believe is from God, because it makes Him even more all-knowing and AWESOME.”
♥ ferree
As much as it is painful to endure those gut wrenching sobs,I do feel better after it's over,tired,yes,but somehow better.I have been thankful when those times come at home,but that is not how it always works. Thanks for this post,I will be copying that article on tears,so I can keep it on hand.
ReplyDeleteI loved this post about tears, Ferree! Over the past two and a half years, I have come to embrace my tears as my friend, knowing that God collects them and uses them to heal my heart. One of the ladies in my Griefshare group was not able to cry, but our group leader prayed for her and before long, she too, enjoyed the release and healing freedom found in God's gift to us! I still feel a little embarrassed when the tears come unexpectedly, in public places, but there is no holding them back when the emotions come. I am learning to be okay with that too.
ReplyDeleteFerree, I think it's great you reposted this, because we all have to be reminded of this particular gift. Plus, I am sure you have new members who have never read it before.
ReplyDeleteEvery gift God gives us is a perfect gift, but tears seem to be one of the ones He gave with His heart of hearts, because he knew we would need their cleansing and grief-releasing properties. There is no "evolution" here... it's God in all His Glory. I love my tears!!!