We have all been asked to do things that seem foolish in the eyes of men.  We are in the midst of a battle and we have been told we must be strong on the side of good.  This is certainly a time where men call evil good and good evil.

Our family has had to rely on the Lord so much more than before.  We have been specifically asked to do things that many would call foolish, even some of our friends.  God has sent his spirit to all of us to know what is our part in this battle.  Some of us are experiencing things very trying as we strive to accomplish what he specifically has in mind for us.

Due to an immense number of changes in our day to day family life, living arrangements, and expectations, I have been overwhelmed often and unable to contain my emotions.  I'm sure we've all been there.  A few times, I've wanted to enjoy something, but couldn't, for fear of, or in actuality, crying too much.  I know that The Lord wants me to be a useful servant, not just a blubbery one with such heightened emotions, so while I was about to have another problematic experience, I prayed very specifically for help containing those emotions that would hinder the spirit for others with whom I was sharing this time.

It came to my mind very clearly that my body needs to cry.  I remembered hearing that somewhere, so I checked it out.  I found some experts back in 1983 that described crying and the stress-relieving biochemical reaction that accompanies that.  I'm sure many of you have heard that crying can have a cathartic effect.

So I really wasn't supposed to feel ashamed that I needed to cry, however, I didn't want to be detracting from The Lord's work when the opportunity arose.  I felt strongly that the devil would be happy if I was ashamed from unwanted emotions during what could otherwise be spiritually uplifting moments.  A fundamental truth came to me and I want to share it with you here in the form of two scriptures.

Psalms 107:19

Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.  

Alma 37:36

Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

I want to express that while I feel there are many appropriate times for crying in public,  I felt that mainly I was overwhelmed and caused to cry excessively at times that embarrassed me, and stopped the spirit from teaching me and even perhaps others around me.  I know, now, so much more than I knew before, that there can be a time set aside where I am meant to cry.  I know that I can and should have cathartic crying as I pour out my heart to my God every morning.  This has allowed me to feel the spirit, more, because my spirit yearns to commune, and when I have taken the time to do so in an appointed and appropriate place, my heart can hold so much more.