A Heart of Tenderness

“An additional effect of understanding God as the heart of tenderness is reconciliation. Seen from a biblical perspective, reconciliation isn’t primarily making up with another person; it’s making peace within ourselves in that dimension of our lives where we’ve previously been unable to find peace. Reconciliation is the inner healing of our hearts by the tenderness of Jesus.”

[Brennan Manning]

One Touch

Community.

You hear a lot about that from me. Then somedays, I catch this glimpse of a God who loves it so much more than I do. This God who blows me away by the community he puts around me.

I got to be with my church family today again for the first time in a few weeks, and we sang one of the songs that grew out of our experiences. About the goodness of God.

You are good, You are very good…

I so wanted to sing those words, but I couldn’t get them out. Instead, I had burning tears run down my cheeks.

Then there was a touch.
It was just for a moment, but a friend had her hand on my back.

The touch that says more than words ever can.

I’m here.
I’m with you in this.
You are not alone.

That one touch gave me the strength to sing those words, ‘you are good’. Strength I didn’t have on my own. I could sing them because I knew she was helping me sing them.

And isn’t that the point?

Stolen Wine, Dignity & Downton Abbey

I have never been a big period drama fan, but I have been completely sucked in by Downton Abbey. Steady now – don’t be giving me any spoilers for season 2! I’ve only just finished season 1, watching 2 or 3 episodes at a time.

I think Downton Abbey has got to me more than any of the others because of the pacing and the writing. The stories and the relationships between the staff and employers grips me.

I watched with baited breath to find out what would happen between Bates and Thomas, and as the story progressed I found myself seeing more and more of God in Bates.

No matter how many times Thomas and O Brien try to get him fired and disgraced – tripping him, framing him – he never sinks to their level. Even when questioned by his boss, he never says why he fell, or how he knew the wine was stolen. He always looks to bestow dignity to those around him. He always accepts the blame himself and takes their disgrace, rather than having them suffer indignity.

Bates inspires me to be a better follower of Jesus than I currently am.

How often do I accept disgrace so that someone else may gain dignity?
How many times do I let others endure disgrace without helping?
How many times will I have to watch a TV show before I do something about it?