I'm typically not a crier. Or is it cryer? Maybe cry-er? I'm not someone who cries easily. Typically. But on occassion it does happen. Some tears happen due to lack of sleep.
Example: if I order food and raw tomatoes are on it, tears. When I dropped my phone causing it to crack and my cell phone provider REFUSED to give me an early upgrade, tears (on multiple occassions).
There is however one thing that, without fail, will cause instant tears.
Snakes.
I hate them.
All of them.
I can't look at pictures of them, see them on TV, and in real life? Forget about it! Even rubber snakes will set me over the edge. Example: One of my fellow YoungLife leaders thought it would be funny to share this bit of information with some of his guys. Bad news bears for me. Let's just say that weekend camping always leaves me reduced to tears and telling my fellow leaders that they better get the fake snake or I'm going to lose my mind. Or hurt somebody.
Recently I was brought to tears for a totally different reason.
Currently, I am an 8th grade American History teacher in an amazing school district! I requested a leave of absence for the World Race that was unfortunately denied. This was exactly what I expected. I was not anticiapting getting approval. However, when the denial was "official" I cried. I wasn't even sure why I was so upset, but I was. I think that a part of me was worried about what the world would think. I know that by the world's standards, it's not smart to give up a secure job in the best school district in your state. I know that it means loosing tenure, benefits, and an income when I return. I also know that the world may think I'm crazy for doing it. And for a moment it gave me pause.
Was I really doing the right thing?
Should I give up teaching for a year and to go on the Race?
Thankfully, God answered (by way of an amazing family) with a resounding "YES!" Up to this point my funding was lacking. By a lot. But it was on the same day that I received the news that my leave of absence was denied, that this family shared that they would be supporting in a BIG way. Again tears were flowing.
Two days later, my mom called to tell me that a family friend had given her $100 to give towards my Race. I couldn't believe it. I literally had no funding come in since I excepted in October and now I had two donations come in the same weekend.
Thankfully I serve a God who is faithful and who doesn't mind reducing me to tears.
