It’s OK for us as parents not to have all the answers

It’s known as the shortest verse in the English Bible, and yet it says a lot.
     

The Bible story is a familiar one. Jesus’ friend Lazarus is seriously ill. Instead of going  immediately to heal him, Jesus intentionally lingers in another town. He arrives on the scene only after Lazarus is dead. Brought to the tomb, Jesus cries before ultimately resurrecting Lazarus.
    

I’ve always found this story intriguing. Most of all, the line “Jesus wept,” stands out. Jesus, who is God, cried. And he did so on the brink of resurrecting his deceased friend.
    

The story reminds me of the ways in which we as adults are asked, even pressured, to handle life’s difficult circumstances. We may be told to “stay strong” or “keep positive,” to push past the pain by ignoring emotions perceived as weak or negative. 
    

Often, we feel there are time limits to grief and hurt. After that, we need to tuck it away, or “get over it.” For others, any crying at all is taboo. Many times, this situation is worse for men than for women. Both genders, though, certainly can be affected by the perception that people who weep aren’t tough enough and are embarrassing themselves. In each case, the difficult emotions go unaddressed and unhealed.
    

Our children see these behaviors as examples and may mimic them out of fear of punishment or embarrassment or even to make us proud of them. We are all children of God, and even as adults, we should be following Jesus’ example. And that’s what seems so radical to me about this Bible story.
    

Jesus could have done many actions upon reaching Lazarus’ tomb. He could have cut to the chase and resurrected his friend immediately. He could have lectured the crowd on how they needed more faith. He could have tried to convince them that Lazarus was happy in the afterlife. In short, the very person who had all of life’s answers chose to not give any.
    

Instead, Jesus wept. Simply, purely. He allowed himself to feel how he felt. He did not hide emotions or fear embarrassment. He didn’t question if his tears were warranted or logical, considering he knew Lazarus would live. 
    

The creator of human life, I believe, was teaching his creatures a very important lesson – how to be human. And that even the emotions that seem so weak or negative are not necessarily so.
    

If they are fitting for God-become-man, they should be for us too.
    

Whatever difficulties you are facing right now, Jesus is reaching out. He knows how to feel human, even at this very moment. He reminds us that it is OK to not have all of the answers. Sometimes, giving answers isn’t even what is needed. Our humanity is.
    

He lets us know it’s more than OK to be human; it’s sacred. And that it’s crucial to share that humanity with others, including our children.
    

Megan Lacourrege is a wife and mother who lives in Slidell. She is a St. Bernard native  and graduated from Tulane University with a double  major in English and musical theater. She serves as St. Genevieve Church youth director and is author of the children’s book, “My Sibling Still,” for children who have lost a sibling to miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death. She aims to provide resources to bereaved parents and siblings on her website, www.mysibling still.com.