Tears of Joy | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Tears of Joy | Previous Challenge Entry
By Karye Willard
04/05/08
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I grew up in another state -- very far away from my grandparents. When I was nine years old, my grandmother was called home, one night, very suddenly. The next day, my family flew to see Grandpa and help with preparations for Grandma's funeral. During the funeral, Grandpa was teary-eyed and surrounded by his children, grandchildren, siblings, friends, and many other extended family members. On that day, I was told repeatedly how much I looked like my grandmother.

A few years later, my parents decided to move closer to Grandpa. In fact, I got to see him every Sunday morning at our new church. I was so excited about that. I remember one particular time, sitting in a pew beside Grandpa singing out of the hymnal “When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder.” At one point, he looked down at me. There were huge tears in his large brownish-hazel eyes. He put his arms around me, gave my shoulders a big squeeze, and looked back at the hymnal. I remember, at the time in my 13-year-old mind, thinking that Grandpa must be thinking about Grandma again.

The last time I saw Grandpa was a few days before he went home. He had been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and was in the hospital with pneumonia. He was on a ventilator, so we couldn't talk. Actually, I don't think I could've said anything, because I was crying so hard. Again, there were large tears rolling out of his eyes. This time thinking in my 24 year-old mind that I shouldn't have been so emotional and chastising myself for only being able to cry.

Fortunately, God can teach us through difficult circumstances, if (big if) we allow Him to. In Psalm 126:5-6 David writes, “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.” However, according to what David (and many others Biblical authors) is saying times of tears and hardships are to be expected, even appreciated if we remain faithful to the Lord. After this world of hardship, trials, tears, and pain, the Lord, who is the author of our faith and our joy, will return. My grandpa knew that and his tears helped me learn that, too.

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