A Mother’s Tears

I tried not to write this post, but God kept prodding me to get it down.  Why this was such a challenge will become apparent.

Saturday, we attended the funeral of our pastor’s niece who died suddenly last Monday.   It’s hard enough to witness the salty sorrowful tears of hearts broken by pain and lost. But even more, when those tears flowed from a mother who had loved, nurtured, taught and protected her child.  A mother’s tears, filled with the reality of emptiness, separation, no more tomorrows, no more celebrations, no more joys, only memories is difficult.

I am reminded of the verse from Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”  God told us that even in our darkest moments, when words fail, that His love is wrapped up in those tears.  His covenant promise to always be there, despite the oceans of tears, searing heartaches and unimaginable pain is captured in His word.  Embedded in this promise is the divine guarantee that His love never fails.  A mother’s tears also holds this promise the blessed assurance that “Life has no sorrow that heaven cannot cure.”

I, too, was one of those mothers whose life was shattered by the lost of a child.  I am also a testament to the words of Hebrews 13, wherein God kept His promise to never leave, nor forsake. As we comforted the family, particularly this mother, my (our) prayer is that as she walks through the valley; and as each daytime and nighttime tear falls, she will experience fully God’s hand loving, supporting and holding sacred every one of her precious Mother’s tears.  Just as He did with me.

In memory of April Michelle Haley