“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”      Psalm 126:5 (NIV)

Let me go ahead and say this writing is not about money. (Insert sigh of relief here)

It is about emotional investments. Those things, events, people, and moments that you pour your whole heart and soul into for an extended amount of time. In many ways these emotional investments are more risky and painful than financial ones.

Think of a time when you gave of yourself so completely that you gave until it hurt with no immediate positive results.

This can easily happen to parents, giving all that you have emotionally and financially to provide your child with opportunities and experiences to set him up for success only to be left feeling unappreciated and useless when the child/teen/young adult goes about making selfish decisions with little regard for you or your teachings. Or how about when a family member makes a poor decision that leaves the entire family devastated, injured, or disappointed. Or when a friend betrays your confidence or takes advantage of you for personal gain with little or no regard for your feelings.

Maybe your moment came when you put all that you had into your job or invested in the development of others, sometimes at the expense of neglecting your own family, only to go unnoticed, unappreciated, and taken for granted. 

If this happened to you, it most likely left you feeling empty, let down, or maybe even feeling like you had been kicked in the gut. 

Have you ever been moved to tears over things like this?

I have.

On more than one occasion, personally and professionally, I have been left tearful and emotionally bankrupt wondering how much more I could do without seeing any positive results. Reflecting on the scripture for today, I realize that I can put it all into perspective. 

When you find yourself giving until it hurts – sowing with tears – you must realize all of your emotional investments contribute to a savings account overflowing with songs of joy. Compare it to good banking practices – we cannot build up a healthy nest egg for retirement or save up to buy that new car/house/outfit/toy without some sacrifice. In the same manner, we will never experience that intense feeling of genuine joy without giving selflessly and making those tearful emotional investments in our family, friends, church and community. 

So if today those tears are flowing as you sow, consider your emotional deposits. Be refreshed, reassured, encouraged, and strengthened knowing that you will reap with songs of joy in return. 

So go ahead and give until it hurts! There is a huge payoff in the end.