A Time for Crying and Laughing
Today’s post is based on chapter 6 of my latest book, Newness of Life, recently released on Amazon. Get your copy now, and be sure to enter the giveaway below for a free copy!
Many of you have voted for me (17) in this special contest, and I am so thankful for that! If you have yet to do so, please read this excerpt of my linked post to the contest, which fits today’s description of a time to cry, and vote 17 for me please!
In April 2015 my worst fear came to life in front of my eyes. My husband packed his bags and told our children goodbye, telling me he was moving out. I was that little four-year-old girl again, abandoned by my daddy, huddled on my bed and crying.
But in the middle of the night, a peace stole over me like I had never known. In my darkest valley, when I finally saw the face of my haunting fear, I also saw the face of perfect Love.
Perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4:18 NRSV
Love Himself sat with me in that April bedroom in 1982, collecting my tears.
Love Himself held me in the palm of his hand at both of my parents’ remarriages.
Love Himself stood guard at the door when I was home alone.
Love Himself whispered truth to me when I faced rejection, loneliness, and despair.
Love Himself held me close when I faced an uncertain future in April 2015.
Love Himself gave me the strength to stand up to fear and stand up for my marriage. I set boundary stones and said, “This far and no further.” Prayer was my food. Tears were my drink. I was standing in the valley of the shadow of death on our marriage, yet I felt empowered. Uplifted. Unafraid.
Love Himself restored our marriage at the end of May. Love Himself captured my tears in little blue bottles and set them on a special windowsill in heaven, just like the one in my kitchen. Psalm 56:8
Love Himself gave me newness of life. He planted seeds in those bottles, and new life is growing from those tears. New life which will help others trapped in the fear of abandonment. New life to set free those who grieve and mourn. New life to strengthen the hearts of those who seek Him.
If you enjoyed this excerpt, please jump over to the contest and vote 17 for me today, thanks!
As you can probably tell, I’ve done my fair share of crying. The last time I cried was Sunday evening, when I felt overstimulated in a good way from a meeting with other writers. My tears needed to flow to release internal pressure. I felt relieved and reset after those tears fell.
I intentionally seek out times for laughing to counter my serious, melancholy nature. My top ten favorite sources of laughter:
Giggling with my husband, who shares my dry sense of humor
Chasing and tickling my children
Sharing family stories with my sisters
Sharing inside jokes with two close friends
Laughing with Laura, my coworker who could moonlight as a comedienne
Reminiscing on ridiculousness with old classmates
Watching Vince Vaughn or Will Farrell movies
Replaying “Groundhog Day” every February
Jamming to “Mac Daddy,” Toby Mac’s silly song
Watching Food Network shows starring Guy Fieri or Jeff Mauro
I’d love to hear a few from your top ten list as well in the comments…
Questions for reflection: (please comment below)
In which season has God collected your tears in special bottles?
What sources serve as your time-to-laugh prompts?
If you feel more comfortable commenting in a more private setting, consider joining my Facebook group and leaving your comments there. New members are always welcome!
Study Guides
Here are links to free resources that will help you in the online Bible study or your personal study of Newness of Life:
Online Bible Study Reading Plan
Giveaways
Giveaways will be announced on Fridays. If you comment in my Facebook group, you’ll be entered to win prizes on Jan. 20 and Jan. 27. All comments will be entered to win the grand prize on Feb. 3.
This week’s winner will receive a copy of Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him and a magnet set of these beauties:




My new book will help you apply Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 so you can understand God’s plan in your current season.
“There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
No matter what season you are in, God is teaching you valuable lessons to grow your faith and trust in Him. We will discover what God is saying through the different times and activities we traverse.
I look forward to hearing how God is working in your current life season. I hope you will join in the fun and discussion on the online Bible study.
Please vote 17 on this link: Click HERE! so I can make my publishing dream come true. God set me free from my fear of abandonment, and I want the world to know!
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This post will be linked up at #tellhisstory, #testimonytuesday, #raralinkup, and #tuestalk. Visit my linkups page to find links to these wonderful blogs.
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