every story includes tears.

hannah's did.
as she bowed praying for a son, tears streaming down her face, her heart aching like never before.

sarah's did.
being tormented for years not being able to bear a son, and watching her maidservant conceive right away.

esther's did.
bound captive in babylon from her birth most likely, not knowing another life. being faced with a decision that could very well take her life.

ruth's did.
losing her husband, never having borne a child. nothing left to her name.

the woman at the well.
living a life that was frowned upon, possibly with no other real choice. coming to the well at the hour where others would not be there to taunt her, torment her.

all of these cried tears that we very well know. tears of bitterness, sadness, of being broken hearted.
we know these tears very well, because life brings suffering, and in this life there will be trouble.
in this life nothing is certain and things won't work out as we hope. and it hurts. honest to God it hurts.

yet, when we hope in Him. when we bring our heart to Him, He holds our tears. He sees, He hears and He comforts.

'those who sow in tears, will reap in joy.' psalm 126:5

and He prepares the harvest that we in due time will reap with joy.

hannah did.
sarah did.
esther did
ruth did.
the woman at the well did.

and you and i will. we will tell our story that includes tears in joy. tears that once blinded our sight for what was to come. though tears that He holds in His hands as part of the story.

and i will say amen to that.