Where Sorrow Meets Hope
There are seasons when joy feels natural and light.
And there are seasons when tears sit closer to the surface.
Lent makes room for both.
This week in our Lenten journey, we reflect on the image of greens dipped in saltwater during the Seder meal — a symbol of tears shed in times of suffering. The saltwater reminds God’s people that their story includes hardship. It acknowledges slavery, struggle, and sorrow. It refuses to pretend that pain did not happen.
But it also reminds them that suffering was not the end of the story.
In Scripture, tears are never dismissed. They are noticed. Named. Held.
The psalmist tells us that God collects our tears.
Jesus Himself wept at the tomb of Lazarus.
Tears are not a sign of weak faith. They are often the mark of deep love.
As a church family, we recognize that not every season is easy. Some are walking through grief. Some are navigating uncertainty. Some carry private disappointments or silent prayers that feel unanswered. Others may simply feel weary.
Lent gives us permission to bring those realities into worship.
We do not gather because life is perfect.
We gather because God is faithful.
When we worship together, we create space for honesty — for the tears we can name and the ones we cannot yet put into words. We remember that sorrow and hope can sit side by side. We trust that even when we do not see the full picture, God is still writing redemption into our story.
Saltwater tears remind us that God meets us in every part of the journey.
If this season feels tender, know that you are not alone. If your heart feels heavy, know that it is safe to bring that weight into the presence of God. Our faith does not require us to hide our pain. It invites us to offer it.
Even in tears, especially in tears, Christ is near.
And the story is not over. 💧