Tender

My #Oneword2011, beloved has not had the clarity on it that last years word, courage, did.  I know comparing impact is not doing me much good and leads me striving after something that I don't know what it is.  Yet, I want to understand this promise of love, that I believe I have only had a taste of.

But over the last couple of weeks, the part of Beloved that has repeated itself over and over again, is  tenderness.  That tenderness that makes your heart sigh unexpectedly as strength is offered by another and it gently lifts weight off. 

I've seen it in my Jesus who has borne all of my sin and shame, but at the end of the day, speaks life giving words to my heart as He washes my feet of the grime that tries to cling to me.

I've seen it as three sisters layed their hands on me and prayed.  Contending that I would see the Father's heart, covering me with love.  They offered freely of themselves, even as two of them I knew were weary after weeks of international travel and ministry, that I wouldn't have dared to ask, but I received gratefully and humbly.

I've seen it welling up for me for my students.  God's tender love for them is so great, that knowing His heart makes me weep.

I've seen it as the words to the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son, "...you are always with me, and all that is mine, is yours."

This tenderness...leaves me speechless.
Abba, show me more.