Ice Breaker – When Was The Last Time You Cried

This ice breaker thing is catching on.  I’m moving the question for this week up a couple of days to save Friday for a special post that I can’t wait to share.  I’ve been tossing this week’s question around for the past several days.  A friend of mine appears to be in his last days here on earth as his battle with brain cancer has taken a dramatic turn for the worse.  As I think about my friend, I’m reminded of a trip we took together to the Willow Creek Group Life Conference several years ago.  This was really the first time that I spent significant time with my friend as we hung out with several other small group leaders from our church for a few days.  I specifically remember sitting next my friend on the airplane as we flew home to the Philadelphia area.  As we sat together, my friend opened up as he shared his story.  I’m not sure if I actually asked him today’s ice breaker question, but I knew that our conversation had taken a jump to a whole new level of transparency as my friend began to cry as he described his family growing up.  I will never forget the tears streaming down his face.  I know there was pain in his conversation, but I clearly could see that there was also freedom in sharing and releasing the emotion that went with this discussion.

And so I ask this week’s ice breaker question.  As a reminder, Ice breaker questions are used to help people get to know each other – to “break the ice” so to speak.  I’ll answer it first, then it’s your turn.  Answer the question by leaving a comment for us all to enjoy.  Thanks!

Question:  When was the last time you cried (I mean really cried) and why?

My Answer:  Here you go….

I don’t cry very often.  Just ask my wife.  Occasionally, I’ll tear up when I see something moving on TV or in a movie.  I’ve even teared up at Hannah’s recent cross-country meets as her teammates and the members of the opposing teams gather to cheer on the last boy as he approaches the finishes line well behind the pack.

When I think about the last time I really cried, I journey back to a time about a year ago.  Actually, it’s been more than a year ago.  Last September, my wonderful wife had to go to the hospital.  Without going into a lot of detail, I remember doing everything I could to hold it together as I waited by her side in the hospital while we waited for things to be worked out with the medical staff.  I even remember holding it together despite being stunned as I rode back home in the car with my dad after we left my wife at the hospital.  Once we got home and I crawled up to our bedroom in the early morning hours, it wasn’t long until my tears began to flow.  As my tears flowed, I was desperate for an answer from God.  Why was this happening?  What was next?  How would I move forward?  I like to have everything in order and under control, and the events of that evening chattered much of my world.

A lot has happened since then.  My wife has experienced amazing healing.  Our family has been mended together more fully.  And we’ve had many, many happy moments and memories since this time of desperation.

So there you have it, my answer to the question.  Now it’s your turn….

(Oh, one more thing.  Could you please pray for my friend and his family?  Thanks!)