tears in His bottle
bottles are quite interesting to me. glass bottles vary in shape, size and color. glass is so fragile but strong. glass can be plain or very elaborate. glass can be colorful or colorless. Whether colorful or colorless - it remains transparent. Completely visible and totally exposed. My life in Jesus Christ reminds me of glass. When I live my life visible to others they can see my true colors. When my flaws and imperfections are clearly seen by others; then His grace and mercy shines through and radiates a beautiful prism of hope and love. Openness of one's soul causes others to see not just the outside, but what the inside looks like. Honesty with who we are causes love and friendship, sympathy and compassion, encouragement and accountability, support and rebuke, serving and praying for each other. One thing I have learned in the last few years is to share and bear my soul to others. I cry often. For many reasons. Tears of Joy. Sadness. Pain. Disappointment. Compassion. Christ sees all my tears. Many of my tears come from trying to please others. The world looks at me and sees the chips, cracks, shattered pieces --Christ sees me as who I was meant to be. He looks beyond the imperfections and sees true beauty and character. He created me in His image. He cares for me. Today He reminded me that He cares --
Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? " (Psalm 56:8)
He sees every tear that streams down my cheek. He knows when my heart is breaking. He knows when I'm trying to hide from the pain brought on by sin. He knows the pain of sorrow. He knows the sadness of disappointment. He has a record of my doubts, fears, and discouragement. My tears are in His bottle. He looks into His bottle -- sees His daughter crying and comforts me. He cares for me. He loves me. He gives me reason to rejoice. He gives me reason to laugh. He gives me reason to smile. He is my joy. He gives me brilliant life and shining hope. Pleasing my Great Maker is what I desire the most.
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Abba Father, You know the deepest desire of my soul is to honor You in all that I do. Take my broken, imperfect life and use me to shine for You. Yes, I am prone to wander from the one I love and the truth that I know. Forgive me for seeking approval in others and my worth in things. I trust You and know that what You begin you will see to completion. May I glorify Your name by living a transparent life so that others can see what forgiveness and love really look like. As we run this race, I will keep my eyes on You, the author and finisher of my faith. You make all things beautiful. Thank You for understanding me. You are such a great friend to me. Thank You for creating me to be fragile, but strong in the Lord and full of His might. Praise the Lord. In Jesus Name. Amen.
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In case you did not know: The Romans had a custom, that in a time of mourning - on a funeral occasion - a friend went to one in sorrow, and wiped away the tears from the eyes with a piece of cloth, and squeezed the tears into a small bottle of glass or earth, which was carefully preserved as a memorial of friendship and sorrow. - Albert Barnes
posted by muddy hands at 9:02 PM
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