When we weep.

My son was just seven years old when he watched the news report on TV announcing that our country was going to war.  His brother asked a couple of questions about war, and then they went off to play. 

That evening, when the seven-year-old went to bed, I heard him crying. When I asked what was wrong, he told me he was worried about the war. I explained that it was far, far away and that he would be safe. But he just sobbed more. As I held him, he calmed down and said, ‘I am not worried for me, Mummy; I am worried about all the Mummies crying!’ It touched my heart to hear his words, and I was amazed at how far his thinking had gone. Of course, he was quite right – many Mothers would be crying. So we prayed for them and for all who might be hurt by the war.

In today’s passage from Jeremiah, we read that God hears our weeping and understands our sadness. He promises that those weeping for the lost will be comforted and promises us hope for the future. He is not distant or uncaring, but comforts and strengthens us in our grief.

Prayer: God of comfort, be with all those who are weeping today. Hasten the day when war will be no more. Amen.