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Water is found in many places in scripture, including in tears. John 11:32-36 reminds us that Jesus experienced weeping, "When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"
As many of you know the holiday season is one that is filled with great joy and great sadness. Joy as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Joy as we share Christmas celebrations with family and friends. Joy as we see the excitement in a child's eyes on Christmas morning. This season is also one where we experience moments of sadness over those family members who are no longer with us. For many this may be the first holiday without some of them. I was reflecting with joy and sadness yesterday as I thought about my Dad, who we lost after his battle with cancer in June 5 years ago. The joy that moves through me this time of year, is very closely connected with the joy that my Dad exuded each day while he was here and especially during the holiday season.
I would invite you to take a moment to identify some of the parts of your life where there are tears. Tears of joy... Tears of sadness... Listen to them and then place them before God.
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." Romans 8:26
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