Week 9:Lamentations

What if we lamented more? What if we were honest with God about feelings?

Lamentations is a reminder of what it means to be mortal. We live in a society that does not know how to grieve. We don’t allow for emotions. We tell women that they are overly emotional and we tell men to “man up.” Feelings are frowned upon and they most certainly frowned upon when they are directed at God.

Here’s what I think, I think that the God who created everything out of noting can handle the full range of our emotions. God wouldn’t have gone through the process of creating humans and giving them emotions if he couldn’t deal with our emotions. God knew exactly what he was getting into and created us in his image. So, yes I do think that God can handle our emotions. Those times when we think we are at our worst, we are actually at our most human. The ability to experience the full range of emotions is truly a gift from God.

God doesn’t expect stoicism from us. Nor does God expect us to be happy all of the time. We are mortal; the God who created us out of dust gifted us with a full range of emotions so that we could live life to the fullest. Amen.

This week I want you to use what creative outlet you use (or try something new) and lament. If you’re a writer, write. If you paint, paint. Whatever it is that you do, do it. Don’t be afraid to be expressive, God can handle it. I promise.