Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. // Psalm 126:5
“Ricky’s gone,” were her first words when I walked into the office that Monday morning. My hand immediately went to my mouth in shock as my coworker erupted in sobs. Swallowing my questions, I moved closer to her and opened my arms slightly to receive her grief. She turned to face me and then quickly welcomed the comforting refuge of my embrace.
I had known for a while that my coworker’s beloved cat, Ricky, wasn’t doing well. He had been refusing food and was, overall, behaving unlike himself. Every morning, I would ask for an update on his condition. In the past few days, there had been some promising improvements, and it appeared that Ricky might be getting better. But over the weekend, he had taken a turn for the worse, resulting in an emergency vet visit and gut-wrenching news. Sadly, by the end of the afternoon, his owners were on their way home with empty arms and shattered hearts.
As a fairly new pet owner, I can’t imagine the pain of a dear furry friend’s death. But my tears have irrigated the field of losing a loved one many times, and it was only in the spiritual fruits I harvested from a nourished life of discipleship that my mourning turned into joy (see Psalm 30:11).
Looking back at that tender exchange with my coworker, I can say with certainty that I wasn’t just a shoulder to cry on. I had shown her my concern leading up to this moment, and she chose to sow her tears in the soil of my heart, where the seeds of compassion and Christ’s love were plentiful.
Sister, when we are planted firmly in the Lord and take time to receive His love, our lives become the pure fields that scatter the radiance of His presence to everyone we meet. As you sit with this image in prayer today, ask Jesus to beautify the soil of your heart, so that, ripe with His love, you may testify to His great power working in you and welcome others to reap with joy the copious fruits of the harvest.
Cathy Webb is a consecrated virgin for the Diocese of Wilmington and the creator of the Sacred Heart to Heart prayer journal. A full-time Library Assistant, she finds joy in embracing the sacrament of the present moment and spreading the fragrance of Love everywhere she goes. She also treasures large cups of tea; her Chihuahua, Lucy; and anything Saint Therese. When she’s not writing and creating for the Kingdom, she can be found wearing a pretty dress while adoring the Heart of her Divine Spouse in the Eucharist. She is a contributing author to Blessed Conversations: Home. Find out more about her here.
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