John 11:11
Then Jesus became explicit: “Lazarus died. And I am glad for your sakes that I wasn’t there. You’re about to be given new grounds for believing. Now let’s go to him.”
John 11:33-35
When Jesus saw Mary (sister of Lazarus) sobbing and the Jews with her sobbing, a deep anger welled up within him. He said, “where did you put him.” “Master- come and see,” they said. NOW JESUS WEPT.
I shed many tears yesterday. They started in my sons dorm room. The one we cleared out. The one that should have stayed full of his scattered clothes, books and games he plays weekly at his dorm room Friday night game night – until May.
It continued when I learned that our schools Norweigan students had decided to leave – all 30 of them. Their departure would occur while I was out of town- moving Jonah out the above mentioned dorm. No in person goodbyes. No opportunity to give them American goodbye presents. No time to bake them cookies. A pic and text on FB messenger would have to suffice.
Finally – I learned our High school ( like many) would move to online classes. The impact here is different though. Many of our students live in dorms- and these amazing people- would be going home – not to different houses in the same community. They went to different states. Different countries. Many of my daughters friends. Her peer group. The ones that have filled my house for movie nights and prom preparation. Meals and bonfires.
Just.
Like .
That.
I cried. I mourned. I was angry.
You see – a mommas heart- it just feels 1000% times more for their children then the average person. When something starts to impact my kids- all bets are off. So- yesterday I felt all the feels for my young adult children. All of them.
And Jesus says that’s ok.
One of the most comforting verses in the Bible is also the shortest.
Jesus wept.
On the news of the death of his friend Lazarus- he wept. Jesus- the man who could have healed his friend – and didn’t – wept. He showed us his humanity and gave us permission to feel all the feels when life takes things from us unexpectedly.
What I also love about this story is that Jesus shows us purpose in this hard. He moves onto the scene in what appears to be a “too little – too late” scenario and displays his glory. After Lazarus has been prepped and buried- Jesus raises him….
From
The
Dead.
He takes what all thought was lost and shows – ITS FOUND! He is alive. Not long before he would go to the cross and be raised from the dead himself – he gave a clear view into his healing power.
Friends- God has a plan. Just like he did in the death and resurrection of Lazarus – he does now as well.
We are in the waiting season. We will have days of mourning. We will have moments of anger and frustration – but we do not have to lose HOPE.
As I woke up today with another new normal- I read an Insta Post from one of our high school Students- one that I had cried for yesterday- and it made me smile. It renewed my hopeful spirit. If she can shift her attitude – then so can I.
If you need to cry, Cry.
If you need to vent, vent.
But I encourage you to take it straight to the top- straight to Jesus who says “I know”, “I’ve walked your road before and I’m with you in this now.”
Let the tears flow…
Loving you where you are and pointing your forward to where He is,
Justbeth:)
justbeth:) 