It's Alright to Cry

Dear Dad & Mom,
 
   As you face the difficulties of life, don't be afraid to show your children real emotions. So often we feel like we need to shield our kids from seeing us cry. We don't want them to become anxious or worry that we are not okay.

   We have been created in the image of The Creator. We know that does not mean that God looked in the mirror the morning He formed Adam and said, "Today, I'll make man and he will look like me." To be created in the image of God is such a deep and difficult truth to grasp. This is what I tell the children - we have been created with the ability to love, laugh,  and cry. God is spirit and so are we. When God formed Adam from the dust of the earth, the Bible tells us He breathed life into him. God gave Adam - and you and me - the breath of life.

   Our sorrow over a cancer diagnosis, the loss of a job, or the death of a loved one is the exact right response. To cry because we are sad, to be angry over what we don't understand, to question - all of these things are good when we turn to our Creator with each one.

   Don't be afraid to let your children see you show these emotions, but be sure you talk with them and let them know why you are sad.

   And as you cry, tell your kids you are trusting God to be near and take care of your sadness.

   And if you are angry over things you do not understand, tell your children you are trusting God to take care of you especially when you don't understand.

   And when you have questions that don't have answers, tell your children you are trusting God to make you okay with no answers. Because honestly, there are things in life that we cannot explain.

   Jesus wept at the death of his good friend Lazarus. Some Bible scholars tell us He cried, not because Lazarus had died, but because His friends had no faith.

   Faith.

   Impossible to describe to those who have none. And yet, God promises when we take the step and say "I believe" His Holy Spirit will supply the faith and the strength we need to not only get through the hard times, but to grow in them. We will not only survive heartache, we are drawn closer to the very heart of God.

   It's alright to cry. And it's okay for your kids to see what it means to be created in the image of God.

                                                                                      Love to all my friends and family in Jesus