Why DOES Lynn cry?

After sharing in our Palm Sunday story about when we were invited to pray with the Year 9 girls at the end of the day (and the ensuing conversation about why I cry), someone’s comment on that blog was “Why DOES Lynn cry?” I know this was just a joke but I have been lying in bed most of the night (it is now 5.20 am), thinking about it and as I couldn’t sleep (because I was thinking about it and the mosquitoes were hungry), I decided to get out of bed and come out to the computer to put down some thoughts.

These are not in any particular order:

I cry when I’m happy. I cry when I’m sad. I cry when I’m angry. I cry when I’m tired. I cry when I hear sad news. I cried when I first saw my daughters after they were born.  I cry in sad movies. I cry when someone I love is sick. I cried when I first saw my twin grandchildren. I cried at the birth of my grandson. I cry when my children hurt. I cry when I see disabled children at the shop. I cry when I see photos of starving children. I cry when I see beggars in the street here and we are told not to give them money. I cry when I pray. I cry when I praise God. I cry when God says “no” when I wish he had said “yes” (and vice versa). I cry when I think that Jesus died for me on the cross.

I cry when I see 13 year old Indian girls praying up a storm. I cry when I’m homesick and can’t see my family and friends. I cry when someone I love dies. I cry when I remember good times with people I love. I cry when someone hurts me. I cry when I think I’ve hurt someone else. I cry at the marriage of two people I love. I cry when I’m away from my church family at Easter. I cried right through our wedding reception. I cry when I sing songs I love. I cry when I read beautiful verses in cards at the newsagent. I cry when I see a beautiful sunset. I cry when I recall special memories. I cry when I hear Christmas carols playing in the shops because I love Christmas. I cry when I think of my Mum. I’m crying now just thinking about all the reasons why I cry. So why do I cry? Good question!

Most of you will think this is a ridiculous story but I have never really thought too much before about why I cry.  

Quite a while ago I was talking to a lady about my crying. I told her that I wish I didn’t cry so much because I got embarrassed about it (I mean people would lay bets on how long it would take me to cry in certain circumstances). She told me that she had the same problem and asked God to stop her tears. When God did she said it was the most miserable time of her life because she couldn’t cry with anyone or have empathy for anything. After 12 months she begged God to give her back her tears which He did, to her relief.

This helped me to realize that God gave me tears for a reason and so I am no longer embarrassed about them though it is difficult to help 13 year old girls to understand that you can cry for more reasons than being sad.

A psychiatrist looking at the above list would say “this woman is an emotional wreck and/or depressed” - Maybe?? - Maybe Not?? I’d like to think it stems from my spiritual gift of mercy.

A few years ago at our church we were exploring our spiritual gifts. I registered very high in the gift of mercy. So I’m thinking that crying is part of my mercy gift. When I look at the above list I see quite a few things where my mercy gift “kicks in”. I would also like to believe that with this gift comes a tender heart which feels deeply about many things and if this is who God has made me to be then I am content.  

So, for a definite answer to the question, “Why DOES Lynn cry?” – only God knows - Sorry!

PS:  I'm sure there are lots of people who ask and have asked over the years - "Why DOES Lynn cry?"  These are only my thoughts but I hope they have been helpful.