Wipe Away Those Tears

By Jeanna’ Mead A few days ago, this cowboy-preacher-writer man, James Chambless, wrote something that made me stop, smile, and shake my head in agreement — because he wrote down what I’ve been feeling for a long, long time. > **“I’ve heard a lot of folks talk about there being no more tears in heaven, but this old Bible of mine says that in heaven God will wipe away every tear.

You can’t wipe away tears that are not there.”** Ain’t that the truth? I picture God taking the time — infinite time — to sit with those up in Glory, hold them close, and wipe away the tears that fall. And then he wrote: > **“I believe there are tears in heaven.

I believe they know some of what is going on here on earth.”** Lord have mercy… that’s exactly what I’ve always believed. I believe my Papa-Daddy has been watching me ever since he got up yonder in Glory. Sometimes I know he’s disappointed in me. Sometimes he’s grinning big and pointing, saying: > “That’s the way I raised her!” And then there are times when I know a whole bunch of family is sitting around saying: > “They know better than that…” And God steps in, wipes their tears, and says: > **“I know it hurts you to watch them hurting.

But they’ve got to learn this for themselves. It’s all part of the plan.”** --- ## Heaven’s Nudges I think sometimes when we feel that nudge — that tug on the heart telling us to do something, say something, give something — it’s because God lets those in Glory touch down on us for a moment.

Just enough to get our attention. Just enough to remind us we are loved. I sure do feel their love from Glory when I do the things I was raised to do. And I’ll admit… I feel a little queasy when I’m not doing what I know I’m supposed to. That queasiness isn’t from what I ate.

No, sir. It’s straight from heaven — those who love me trying their best to get me back on track. --- ## Family That Still Pulls for Us I’m the firstborn granddaughter of a sharecropper’s daughter, and my cousin Jeff is the first grandson. We fought like brother and sister as kids.

And just as quickly, we’d turn around and defend each other. Mema would get on to us all the time when we weren’t treating each other right — and that’s why I know she still has something to do with the way we love each other now. I can almost imagine her standing there in Glory, grabbing one hand of the Lord and one hand of my mom, saying: > **“Look, Lord — don’t let them two start acting ugly.

Stop ’em right this minute.”** And God saying: > “Alright, Nancy Jane. I’ll make a way for those hard-headed young’uns to listen.” That’s exactly how I picture it. --- ## Heaven Has the Full Story This long, hard season I’ve been in… the heartbreak… the confusion… the pain… I believe it broke the hearts of God, Mema, and Papa-Daddy too.

But the difference is — they knew the full story. They knew the details I didn’t. They knew the reasons. And that’s when God, once again, wipes away their tears and says: > “I know it hurts you to watch them hurting… but trust Me. This is for their good and for My glory.” As the cowboy wrote: > “What they have that we don’t is an eternal perspective.” They know God’s plans are perfect.

They know how the story ends. They know love wins. --- ## Heaven Celebrates Us Too But oh, I think there is so much pure joy in heaven, too. When they see us doing right… loving each other… helping… forgiving… choosing kindness… I believe they burst into shouts of joy and start hugging and high-fiving each other. > “Did you see THAT?” > “Looky there — look what they’re doing now!” Up yonder joy is loud and holy and full of love.

A different love — a perfected love — because they are right in the presence of God. Tears of sorrow and tears of joy — He wipes them all. --- ## Love Never Gives Up That’s why I cling to scripture that says: > “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” Even circumstances we don’t understand.

Even when heaven watches us from afar. Even when tears fall — theirs and ours. --- ## One Day… I believe that when I get up there, God will wipe away my tears too. The tears of joy when I see Him face to face. Then He’ll smile and say: > “Go on — there’s a whole mess of people that have been waiting forever and a day to love on you again.” I’ll run to them, one by one.

Love on them again. And then I’ll get to watch from heaven — clapping my hands when those I love down here start loving each other the way God intended. Until then… I’ll keep learning and loving and trusting and leaning into His plan — on earth as it is in Heaven.