Rejoice and Weep

Yesterday our verse to study was "Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep". Yesterday was also the last day we spent with the children from the orphanage. Just like prior years, we had a big party at the resort where we were staying.  I don't know the count, but we must have had some 200 people, most of them children and most of those in the pool.  I didn't get a good picture showing the large number of kids, but below are a couple of pictures anyway.  It was a lot of fun. It was easy to rejoice.

It was bitter sweet though, because we knew the time was coming to say good bye.   The pool started emptying out and by the time I walked to the parking lot, children were already boarding the buses that would take them back to the orphanage.  There were lots of hugs and a few tears.  Time to weep with those who weep.

                                             

One thing you may know about me is that I lack empathy. It is something that doesn't come naturally to me. I have to work at it.  I didn't know exactly how one could weep with those who weep without truly feeling the emotion.  However, maybe all it takes is a little effort to participate in life.
It would have been easy to extract myself from the roller coaster of emotions that took place yesterday. I could have stayed in my room during the pool party. I could have found a secluded place to read a book, or I could have found some way to not rejoice with the children.  I could also have chosen to stay away during the sad good bye. But that would have meant missing out on life.

I am so glad for every moment I rejoiced with those kids and for every little hand I touched through the windows of the buses as we said good bye, and for every smile and look of love lived in between. It is good to learn that even at this stage in life someone like me without the gift of empathy can experience life, the way it is meant to be. All it takes is willingness to participate, to join in.