Tenderness

I cried this morning. 

It was about time. Sadness overcame me, as I knew it eventually would. This pandemic has robbed us all of something, hasn’t it? For some it’s been health (and sadly, even life), others have been stripped of jobs or businesses. Plans and celebrations, vacations, gatherings, weddings, CHURCH. All of us have probably had our sense of safety and security uprooted. How can things change so quickly? On such a global scale? It’s unsettling. 

Through tears, as I was unloading my dishwasher, I told Jesus I know my losses are paltry in comparison to what others are experiencing. It felt so trivial to cry over cancelled vacation plans, birthday parties, and plans to visit family. And instantly He reminded me of a sweet passage in Luke 12. Beginning in verse 22, Jesus is instructing his disciples to not be anxious. He then proceeds to offer some beautifully gentle imagery to emphasize his point. “Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!” (v. 24) “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!” (v. 27-28) Reading ahead to verse 32, where I found such comfort this morning, Jesus tells us, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Fear not, little flock. I love the tenderness and kindness in these words. There are certainly times in life when we are called to rise, to fight battles, to wage war on the enemy. And there are times when Jesus offers us comfort and safety in the midst of storms, gathering us as his little flock. 

I realize this passage is significant in its instruction on anxiety. We have a Heavenly Father who delights in meeting our needs. But this morning, it also reminded me of the gentle side of God’s character. I believe He is moved by what moves us. And I believe He cares about each detail of our joys and sadnesses. If he cares about the birds and the wild flowers, how much more does he welcome our prayers both big and small? 

I’ve always loved this hymn.

His Eye is on the Sparrow

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know he watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lost my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, FROM CARE HE SETS ME FREE;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

I’m sending this with a prayer for you to experience God’s tenderness today. To borrow words from this beloved hymn, if your songs have given place to sighing, and your hope within you has died, may you draw close to him today and be set free by his care.

Warmly,

Kate