Hello friends, welcome to In Bolden. I'm Chris Shatter, an ordinary Christian living with and learning about an extraordinary God. In the book of Jude we read about the grumblers and the fault-finders following their own evil desires and boasting about themselves. I find the best way not to be a grumbler and a fault-finder which I struggle with is instead to look for ways to be thankful and grateful.
That's why on The In Bolden Podcast we're doing 30 Days of Thankfulness. Please join me. Our verse today comes from Luke 1520. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him.
He ran to his son through his arms around him and kissed him. I know the text doesn't say it, but I can only imagine the tears flowing from the father and mother in the story of the prodigal son. In fact, the King James Version says, quote, he fell on his son's neck in a dramatic display of joy and love. A while ago, my own family brought me to tears of joy with a surprise visit from my daughter who I hadn't seen in the months.
I heard the front door open and thinking it was my older daughter I slowly made my way towards the front of the house to tell her below. When I realized it was my younger daughter, I was overcome with tears and unable to speak. I stood there sobbing in her arms. And they seem strange to be thankful to God for tears, but without them our world would be so vanilla.
I've laughed until I've cried with friends and family. I've cried out to God thankful for his grace and salvation. I've wept at the birth of my daughters. And yes, I've also cried those tears of sorrow or loss of anger and desperation.
Song 1.26.5 says, those who sow with tears will reap the songs of joy. So often we must weep, live in hard times before we can experience the full glory and blessings of God. It's why James tells us we should consider it joy to experience trials. Because those trials produce good fruit in us, and that fruit becomes something for us to share.
I have a friend whose 90-year-old mother confesses to not remembering the last time if ever that she has cried. What that means is she hasn't participated fully in the gifts of life. With each winter season in our lives, we are so often rewarded with the spring, a time to bring us great joys. I want to go from this life knowing I have cried many tears.
From laughter, thankfulness, joyous surprise, my beautiful surroundings, and more. I heard a Christian teacher say, quote, if you want the joy of Sunday's resurrection, you must first have the tears of Friday's crucifixion. I'm so grateful to God for giving us the outward ability to show our emotions. To show those we love how much we love them, even after they're gone.
I'm looking forward to the day I can cry tears of joy when I see Jesus' face watching me from a long way off. I know that when I get close enough, I will fall into his arms, weeping, filled with joy. Have a great day. I hope you enjoyed this episode of The Enfolded in Podcast.
Be sure to follow along so you don't miss any episode. And check out my blog at Enfolded in .net.