The Valley of Weeping

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 262- Today, I am grateful for "The Valley of Weeping." 

Oh, what a powerful image. The phrase "the valley of the shadow of death" has become a familiar one. The  shadow cannot hurt us and we need not fear. What about the Valley of Weeping (Baca)?

"What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping,  it will become a place of refreshing springs.  The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings. They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem." -Psalm 84:5-7  

The Valley of Weeping is a place where we cry the tears and our souls are refreshed. Like the autumn rains that restore the land to fresh and new blessings. 

"Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep." -Romans 12:15

We cry alone, but even better is when we cry together. Together is better.

We live in a culture that often tries to hide, bury, or stop the tears. Tears are not fun. They are not easy. But, tears can be cleansing. 

Sorrow is exhausting. Even in our own culture, women would dress in black for a season to signify mourning. Men had some guidelines to follow, too. Over the centuries, there have been rules set by culture about what to wear and what not to wear when mourning. 

Mourning clothes might have been a warning of emotional fragility or evidence that the person has "been through something difficult." Perhaps, it brought a fresh joy when they finally were able to put on color again. (White and black are historically the most common colors designated for mourning.)

We often still wear black at funerals, but it isn't offensive if color is chosen. The decorum has been lifted. We no longer wear mourning clothes for an extended period. I wear black often. I like it,  but I cannot imagine being forced to do so by society. On the other side of the coin, physically acknowledging the pain of loss externally may have contributed to healing. 

Mourning jewelry has made a comeback in recent years. Comfort and connection are found in the practice. It can be a private way to walk through the valley of weeping until you come out on the other side of the sorrow. 

Love never dies or is replaced, it just lives in a different space.  

Today, I am grateful for "The Valley of Weeping."