***This post was written on December 12th, after a pretty disappointing day – but until today (December 14th) it has been kept private. It has been private because it’s pretty personal, and I just kept feeling like it wasn’t the time to post it. With respect to the school shooting this morning in Connecticut (see today’s blog post) – I am publishing this post below as public. The sentiments ring that much more true to me right now. It’s okay to cry.****
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It’s okay to have tears. It’s okay when they flow. God created our emotions, and they are not bad. Today, in fact, I had a really hard day. Truth be told, it’s really just a continuation of this ongoing saga of what all is going on in my body. I get to my awaited appointment, just to be told “we’re really sorry, but we need to reschedule your appointment.” Um, are you KIDDING me? With tears in my eyes, I just couldn’t believe it. Evidently the hospital here didn’t get the records to the place I was having my appointment – who, in turn, couldn’t continue with my appointment without them. So, another week. My appointment today was rescheduled for next week. And so this continues to be the appointment that will go on forever.

As I sat there at what should have been my appointment, I couldn’t convince the tears not to be present. As I thought more about it, I felt silly for the tears. Then, and ever-present truth was revealed to me. God created our emotions. He created the very tears we cry. I could write an entire series of blog posts on the various times tears and God’s response to them occurs in the Bible.

I’d like to take this one step further and encourage anyone taking the time to read. No matter what the day brings, no matter what you are facing, it’s okay to cry. It’s okay to say that it’s not fair. It’s okay to not understand. And most importantly, it’s okay to not always be okay. There may be something in your life that you just cannot figure how you will get beyond. You may question if you’ll ever be able to pick up the pieces and move on. I’m here as living proof (not just as it relates to my current health issues) that life DOES go on. Sometimes, it will become necessary to take life one day at a time – sometimes even moment by moment. Even still, just know that it’s okay to have emotions. Tears aren’t always particularly fun, but they are necessary for healing sometimes.

Even if it’s just momentary, smile – knowing that your tears won’t last forever, and that it’s okay to cry sometimes.