Skip to main content

A Time to Weep

 
 
No Tears in Heaven
(Robert S. Arnold)

No tears in heaven no sorrows given
All will be glory in that land
There'll be no sadness all will be gladness
When we shall join that happy band.

No tears (in heaven fair) no tears (no tears up there)
Sorrow and pain will all have blown
No tears (in heaven fair) no tears (no tears up there)
No tears in heaven will be known.

Glory is waiting waiting up yonder
Where we shall spend an endless day
There with our Saviour we'll be forever
Where no more sorrow can dismay.

No tears (in heaven fair) no tears (no tears up there)
Sorrow and pain will all have blown
No tears (in heaven fair) no tears (no tears up there)
No tears in heaven will be known.
No tears in heaven will be known...

Everyone knew each other in small communities, and it was always a great sadness when someone passed on.  Almost everyone turned out for the funeral.  The little church house had no elaborate sound system to pipe peaceful music to those who had gathered.  Instead, a small group who hopefully could carry a tune was pulled from the crowd to act as the funeral choir.

This old hymn was always sung.  It reminded the mourners that there was hope of eternal life, and the copious tears they were shedding would someday be gone.  This song was probably a great comfort to many.  However,  I think Mr. Arnold was not totally accurate when writing his lyrics.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
 Revelation 21:4

In his book Heaven, writer Randy Alcorn says there will be tears.  "These are the tears of suffering over sin and death, the tears of oppressed people, the cries of the poor, the widow, the orphaned, the unborn, and the persecuted.  God will wipe away the tears of racial injustice. Such crying will be no more."

Some of us cry more for joy than sadness.  I thinking that if I cry when I stand on the rim of the Grand Canyon because it is so beautiful, will I not cry for joy when I see Jesus?  I cried for joy when I saw the Gee's Bend quilt exhibit, because these sweet quilters were finally getting some justice.  I cried for joy at the weddings of both my sons. There have been worship services where peace and love and goodness so overwhelmed me that it leaked out through my eyes.  Can you imagine not shedding tears of joy in heaven?

Comments

  1. lil red henApril 22, 2013 at 3:51 PM

    Never thought of it this way...but I do know it will be more glorious than we can imagine.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Amish in Stantonville, Tennessee

Last week, my sis and her hub went with us to the Amish community near Stantonville, Tennessee.  It was a beautiful day, and we love driving to new places and finding new treasures.  We enjoy these mini-trips we take together, where we giggle a lot and get caught up on everything.  Also, the squirrels ate all our tomatoes, so we needed to find some to buy. You know the food you are buying is fresh when they bring it from the field while you are standing there waiting for it. Here is part of what we brought home, and it was all delicious. Stantonville is located in McNairy County, Tennessee, northwest of Shiloh National Military Park.
Post a Comment
Read more

Holy Smoke Pie

I think it was in the late seventies that I first had Holy Smoke Pie.  It was at a party at Debra Morris Harville's house.  After we ate, Debra had to give the recipe to everyone there.  I came home and made it for my family, and it has been a favorite since then.  I always make it at holiday dinners, because I believe tradition is important.  It has become a favorite of our granddaughters. I've heard it called Chocolate Delight, Four-Layer Chocolate Dessert, and other odd things.  We call it Holy Smoke.  Here is how I make it: Chop us a cup of pecans; set aside. Add a stick of softened butter (NOT margarine) to one cup of self-rising flour. Cut the butter into the flour. Add the chopped pecans, and work it all together. Save two tablespoons of the pecans to sprinkle on top. Pour into a 9" x 12" pan that has been sprayed with cooking oil. Spread it over the bottom of the pan.  It helps to use your hands (or hand, if you have t
Post a Comment
Read more

Cedar Trees in Cemeteries

If you ever wander in old cemeteries, and I know many of you do, you are bound to see some cedar trees. The tradition goes back to the early days of the United States and even earlier  in Europe.  Cedar trees were not always used, but some type of evergreen trees were planted because they were a symbol of everlasting life.  Some  Cherokees believed that cedars contained powerful spirits, including the spirits of the departed buried beneath them. Perhaps because they are known as burial trees, there are many superstitions that surround cedars.  My grandmother told us in no uncertain terms that if we planted a cedar tree, we would die when it was large enough to shade our graves. Some others are: Never transplant a cedar tree; it will bring bad luck. If you transplant a cedar and it dies, you will die shortly. Planting a cedar tree in your yard welcomes poverty. Some say Christ was crucified on a cedar tree, and will bring bad luck if you burn it. If a cedar tree com
1 comment
Read more