Daily Devotion

Molly Kavanaugh

One of my pandemic projects has been going through journals I wrote long ago when I was in my 20s. I was (and still am) a sensitive soul but had forgotten that as a young woman I cried a lot, especially over really silly things. (I’ll spare you the details.)

I still have an affection for tears (nothing like a good cry) but as I got older my tears have been mostly controlled and appropriate. Then came COVID-19.

I cry while reading the paper or listening to the radio about a family’s resiliency or suffering. Today I heard about a 27-year-old college student in Kentucky who had to drive to the school’s parking lot because she did not have Wi-Fi at home.

I cry when I see someone I haven’t seen in months, like my exercise teacher and my 96-year-old friend in assisted living. I cry after the visit with my elderly friend because her poor hearing coupled with social distancing and masks made it almost impossible to talk.

I cry when I see children wearing face masks and when I see adults without them.

I cry when I remove my 50th high school reunion from the calendar, but then a video from St. Ursula Academy arrives to acknowledge the postponed event. 

I cry hearing about the murder of George Floyd and other Black Americans at the hands of police officers.

I cry that my 93-year-old aunt died, the last of my mother’s original family, and we did not gather for a funeral.

I cry not knowing when I will see my 31-year-old son in Los Angeles.  And I cry most every Sunday when I “attend” church.

My friends and I talk about this, how easy our tears flow these days.  But at a time when so many of our behaviors are abnormal, crying feels like one of the most natural things to do.  

I know God hears my cries, your cries too, and understands our tears.  God is ever at our side, each tearful step of the way. Yes, tears can be healing, but I rest knowing that God is the supreme healer.  

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5

1 comments on article "Daily Devotion"

Danelle Buelsing

I remember hearing Pastor Alice describe it as "the gift of tears", which I thought was a beautiful description for something that reflects love and compassion.

9/28/2020 11:14 AM

Reply to

Leave a comment

Name:	Please enter a name.
Email:	Please enter an email address. Please enter a valid email address.

Comment:	Please enter comment.
I agree	This form collects your name, email, IP address and content so that we can keep track of the comments placed on the website. For more info check our Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use where you will get more info on where, how and why we store your data. You must read and accept this rules.

Add comment