“Sometimes memories sneak out of my eyes and roll down my cheeks.” ~ Unknown
If you are a Harry Potter fan, I am sure that you will have read today’s quote and remember Harry taking Snape’s tears to the Pensieve so that he could see the memories that were in the tears. Ah, but this is not about Harry Potter or about science fiction. This is about tears and their many properties.
Yes. Tears have a lot of different functions. Primarily, tears are a part of the bodies defense in protecting the eyes. They provide the lubricant necessary so that our eyes do not dry out. They provide extra lubrication if something gets in our eyes in order to flush out the foreign substance.
Tears not only help protect and heal the eyes, tears are also important in our emotional healing. So many people are afraid of tears. They may have even been told that tears are a sign of weakness. How many children have been told not to cry for that very reason? Yet, tears are very healing.
When we cry, we are generally involved in some very deep emotional experience. We cry at joyful occasions. We cry at sad occasions. We cry when we are physically hurt. And we cry when we are emotionally in turmoil. Crying helps to process the feelings so that they are not kept pent up inside of us.
I have to admit to being rather emotional myself. When I’m feeling really blue, there are a couple of go to movies that I can watch to unleash the Niagara Falls in my eyes. I will sob and the tears will flow and then I will feel more at peace. Tears can be quite healthy and healing.
Don’t let others tell you that tears are unhealthy or a sign of weakness. For that matter, don’t let others tell you how you should process your own feelings. Your feelings are very personal and each person deals with them in his or her own way. Don’t be afraid to feel.
FAITH ACTION: Pray for those whose memories overwhelm them, that they may find the healing they need.