“Men don’t cry”
For many men, weeping or crying is sissy. How many boys grew up hearing from their dads; “men don’t cry”. The damage from these words is overwhelmingly negative. Do you remember QB Colt McCoy in his postgame interview after he had been injured and could not play the majority of the National Championship? Texas lost to Alabama. Fighting through tears, Colt gave praise and honor to the Lord. Thousands of positive messages from everywhere came flooding in. His gracious poise, through tears of disappointment and emotion, was so powerful.
Don’t tell me men can’t cry. Look at our Lord, viewing his close friend Lazarus who had died. He cried, wept! Not over Lazarus’ death as he knew he could raise him. But he wept silent tears for the sisters and the mourners. These were tears of compassion. Who would question the manhood of Jesus? Journey to the entry into Jerusalem in the last week before the cross. “Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it” (Lk. 19.41 NKJV).
Go forth and weep
As for the lost in our world, hear this: “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psa. 126.5/6 NKJV).
Tears of grief, compassion, loss, even joy, can flood our souls at different times. it should be natural. It is in and through it, there comes healing. Weeping with someone may be all that is needed. When is the last time you teared up? Do you remember the occasion? Men, dads, may you never once say to your sons that men don’t cry. Instead, weep with them, hug them, and have compassion on them. Jesus would and did!
