What Does He DO With Them??

[Timl1980]

What a question...what an amazing thought...and what an absolutely stunning spiritual point that left me in awe...and, frankly, in tears.

 

The question: But Tim...have you ever wondered...what does he DO with them??

 

The context?

 

After having been let down, once again...by someone I trust deeply, (a brother no less)…I did what I always do...I reached for my phone and stabbed blindly at a picture on the screen.

 

A few seconds later...a gentle "Hi, my dear brother Tim! How are you?" filled my ears as I snugged my earbuds in place, adjusted my posture in my red folding lawn chair, took a few deep breaths, stared deep into the flames from the outdoor firepit in our backyard...and set about letting loose a nearly an hour long tirade on this loving shepherd. (Below you will see an actual picture I took that evening, just for further context.)

 

 

I laughed out of pure frustration, I cried several times...I even, (admittedly), shouted a few times as the pain and hurt slowly seeped out of me to be replaced by a feeling of resignation and a deep sense of loss that nagged at me like a bad toothache.

 

(I don't even want to think what my neighbor might have thought of me if they witnessed this scene...but I couldn't help it...the pain was fresh, the wound was deep...and I needed to get it out!)

 

 

Finally...as always...I fell silent...and this wonderful brother...this dear man who had endured my entire diatribe...finally he calmly, gently...lovingly...began to pick me up...piece by broken piece...and slowly he set about putting me back together.

 

I don't remember much of anything he said...but I clearly remember the feelings this loving brother stirred in me!!

 

Because of him...I was able to see MY part in what had went wrong...because of him...I was able to call the brother who had hurt me so badly and apologize for MY stupidity after our conversation...and let me tell you right now...HE said he felt worse than I did about what had happened...and we were able to patch things up that same night.

 

What was the issue between us?

 

It doesn't matter...but I'm not sharing this to highlight my own stupidity...(I'm quite sure most of you here could do so without any help from me😅).

I chose to share this one snippet from my evening with each and every one of you for one reason: This brother shared something with me that night...something I had never even stopped to think about...but once I did...my mouth fell open...and I felt Jehovah's hand gripping my shoulder...comforting me...telling me it was going to be okay…just relax and let me comfort you...LISTEN to one of my shepherds as he tenderly binds up your wounds and helps you regain your spiritual footing.

 

This dear brother shared just a few scriptures with me over that hour...but the one that has gripped me ever since...is one I know quite well...as I'm sure do each and every single one of you. Please turn to the book of Psalms...flip over or tap on Chapter 56...and scroll down to verse 8:

 

"You keep track of my wandering. Do collect my tears in your skin bottle. Are they not recorded in your book?"

 

After I read the verse, the brother then asked me the question: "But Tim, have you ever wondered...what does he DO with them??"

 

It was like a lightning bolt...I had literally never stopped to think about that. What DOES Jehovah do with those tears he collects?? Why had I never stopped to ask myself this before?? Why had I never wondered about it?

 

It's Jehovah...it's figurative...the fact that he NOTICES is what is important, right?

 

Yes...but wait...there's more!!!!

 

This brother, according to him, heard this from a member of the Governing Body many years ago who he had the privilege of spending some time with...and he chose to share this idea and the following verses to support it with me:

 

Psalms 30:11: "You have changed my mourning into dancing; You have removed my sackcloth, and you clothe me with rejoicing"

 

Psalms 126:5: "Those sowing seed with tears Will reap with a joyful shout."

 

He said while it's true that this verse in Psalms 56:8 shows how deeply Jehovah cares about each and every one of us...storing up all the hurt and pain that we go through and monitoring us to give us real comfort...the verse actually implies more when you stop to ask yourself that simple yet profound question: What does he DO with all the decades worth of tears he has saved up from YOU?

 

Those tears...they represent ME…they speak to Jehovah about what I have endured...and Jehovah certainly wouldn't continue to store them up in the new system!! But if the metaphor shows him storing them up...then the natural question is...what does he DO with them...in the end?

 

He said the G.B. brother told him that, in the new system, these tears seem to be figuratively poured out, as comfort and blessings!!!!

 

What a profound thought…what a beautiful completion to that illustration of Jehovah's loyal love and deep care for each and every one of us.

 

Will you find this in print?

 

Sadly, not that I am aware of. This brother made it clear that these were the G.B. members personal thoughts and reflections from his personal study...but what an absolutely beautiful thought...and what an incredible way to complete Jehovah's brilliant illustration.

 

I decided to share this because, although I don't know who may specifically need to hear it...I'm sure we can all use another beautifully motivating scriptural thought to encourage us and motivate us to keep going…even if for just one more day!

 

I love all of you...may Jehovah continue to bless each of you. May he continue to store up your tears...because one day...they will surely become a downpour of blessings and true comfort!