Beauty into Ashes
Somewhere in my early childhood I picked up on the messed-up concept that "Real Men don't' cry." I know this concept did not come from my family because my dad has always been open with his emotions and the other men in my life were willing to share their emotions. I remember at the tender age of six, standing in Caudell Funeral Home where the visitation was going on for my granny (maternal grandmother). I was fighting back the tears and had gone pretty reclusive for fear of showing the emotion I was feeling on the inside. I remember my dad came over to where I was sitting, put his arm around me and said, "It is ok to cry." I remember these words penetrated the pent up emotion inside me and I began to cry. I wish I could say from that time on I never had trouble showing my emotion again, but I would be a liar if I said that. So for me to write a devotion talking about emotions, especially about mourning is a difficult task. In Isaiah 61:2b-3 we read, "to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness, instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor." As we continue our journey through Holy Week, it is easy for us to jump to the celebration of Easter and the amazing news that Jesus has risen from the dead. But I sometimes wonder what would happen if we would allow ourselves to experience the fullness of the emotion the disciples and the women experienced as each day progressed during the last days of Jesus' life on earth? When we come to the day of trial, persecution and crucifixion, what would happen if we would consider the depth of Jesus' pain and suffering on our behalf? What would happen if we experienced the mourning and grief that comes as we consider our teacher and Lord suffering at the hands of wicked and evil men for a crime he had not committed? What would happen if we realized that our sins held him on the cross and we caused him that pain? Our joy, though, in the midst of the suffering and mourning is that we do not have to stay in our mourning and grief. We are promised: - Comfort
- Beauty instead of ashes
- Gladness
- Garment of Praise
The God who was faithful from the beginning of time continued to be faithful in Jesus' life, in his death and in his resurrection and that same God continues to be faithful even today. If you are experiencing a time of mourning, know that our God provides for us comfort and gladness in the midst of our suffering and grief and that we can see the beauty of God's presence in the midst of our mourning. As we place the garment of praise upon our shoulders, we can proclaim that God is faithful! As you experience Holy Week, my prayer for you is that you experience the fullness of Christ's sacrifice for you and for the whole world. As you experience the emotions of the week that you will be mindful that in the midst of mourning, there are promises of brighter days ahead. If you are in the midst of a time of mourning and grief, that you will put your full trust in the love and grace of God to provide for you comfort and gladness as you continue to "walk through the valley of the shadow of death." Prayer: God, it is difficult for us to express the emotions we experience in our lives. Help us to feel and express those emotions as part of your work in our lives. As you guide us through mourning and grief, guide our eyes toward a brighter future full of beauty and praise. When we find ourselves overwhelmed in our grief, draw us closer to you. As we journey through these last days of Lent, help us experience the fullness of Jesus' death that we might discover the fullness of his resurrection. Amen. | 
