He can´t protect her from this.
This sense of helplessness must feel disabling, sobering, completely disarming. He doesn´t know what to do. Here´s the hard truth: there is nothing he can do. He can only pray and kiss her and blink back salty-sweet tears.
They are sacred tears.
There will be a bottle in heaven where his tears are kept. My bottles will be many more (!!), but I think a Dad´s bottle is especially cherished by The Good Shepherd. They are tears of virility shaped by suffering, tears of strength melted by hardship, tears of softening through the years crafted by valleys & crags. They are man-tears of tenderness. They are man-tears of a worshipper. They are man-tears of love.
We have a friend who says all guys over fifty start crying more. ¨It´s hormonal!¨ he says. You know, a male version of men-opause. There is something to that. If you´re not fifty yet, just wait!
However, whatever the age-factor has to do with it, we know he certainly has good reason to cry right now. And let me just say this: his tears are precious to me. They will be precious to her when she hears of it. They are precious to the Saviour who knows our path right now.
I am glad to have a man who loves me, his children and God with man-tears.
P.S. He will probably cry when he reads this...all the more for his bottle!!
Photo by: LZdR
Todo lo que escribís me hace llorar. Me imagino a Bruce entrando para ver a su niñita... Ojalá yo pudiera hacer algo para evitarles esto...Solo ruego que puedan sentir que Él va caminando con ustedes. "Aunque ande en valles de sombra de muerte, tú estarás conmigo"...Un fuerte abrazo. Sandra
ReplyDeleteThe "bottom" line is: real man cries! No matter where or for what … whether 50 or over or under … if they are true for themselves (and many aren't), they will surely shed tears of love, tenderness, disappointment, sadness, upset-ness, anguish and, why not, joy! If they are real men … they cry! And I am proud of having a friend like "him" who is not afraid to shed tears! What a man!
DeleteYou´re absolutely right, Barbosa. Real men cry - and are all the more manly for it! Thanks for being by our side...
DeleteAy mi amor, Sandra....no intento hacer llorar a la gente, pero ahora es un tiempo de mucha ternura....gracias por acompañarnos...tqm
DeletePam, thank you for sharing this . . . Bruce I cannot even begin to express the thoughts I have as to how this can affect a Dad . . . and I want you do know, this guy has also shed tears for Jenna and for your family . . . just today I sat in a room with 4 other pastors who also shed tears for you guys as I tried to explain what is going on . . . I love you my brother . . .
ReplyDeletegrateful for your care & concern for Dad....
Delete...And Bruce is a mans man. I've been praying for Bruce - daily. A force of love for Jenna that is pushing out the tears can only be admired and respected. Bruce, my heart goes out to you, brother.
ReplyDeletePam,
ReplyDeleteThis is on of the sweetest posts that I have been honored to read. I am experiencing many of the same thoughts(though I don't express them as well as you do) as I watch Pat grieve the life of our grandson. His man tears are so precious and honorable. God has created their hearts for their loved ones to be so deep. We continue to pray for healing and strength for all of you.
Is that you, JoAnn?? Sending lots of LOVE to you guys...thanks for understanding this...
DeleteDear Pam....just brought tears to my eyes. A very tender & holy time with his girl. What a loving dad Bruce is. We love you guys....
ReplyDeleteHola Pam,
ReplyDeleteNos preguntábamos cómo seguía Jen.
Seguimos orando por ella y acompañándolos en la distancia.
Los amamos en el Señor,
Ruthi&Co
Bruce and Pam, our hearts ache with you. I can only imagine the stress, pressure, questions, and fears during this time. The tears make perfect sense to me. Be assured that many people are holding you up before the throne in prayer!
ReplyDelete