Tenderhearted

"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you."  Ephesians 4:1-3, 32

Dictionary:
adjective; soft-hearted, sympathetic; having a compassionate, kindly, or sensitive disposition

Thesaurus:
Main Entry: tenderhearted
Part of Speech: adjective
Definition: tender
Synonyms: affectionate, all heart, benevolent, bleeding heart, caring, charitable, compassionate, considerate, emotional, forgiving, gentle, humane, kind, kindhearted, lenient, loving, merciful, mushy, sensitive, sentimental, soft, softhearted, sweet, sympathetic, thoughtful, understanding, warm, warmhearted

John Gill:
Ephesians 4:32
"And be ye kind one to another
Good, affable, courteous; which appears in looks, words, and actions; by looking pleasantly on each other, speaking kindly to one another, and mutually doing every good office that lies in their way, and in their power:

tender hearted:
which is opposed to a being hard hearted to them that are in distress, and close at hand to the needy; to cruelty and severity to such who are subject to them, or have injured them; and to a rigid and censorious spirit to them that are fallen:

forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you;
whatever offences are given, or injuries done by the saints one to another, and so far as they are committed against them, they should forgive, and should pray to God for one another, that he would manifest his forgiveness of them, as committed against him; and this should be done in like manner as God forgives in Christ, and for his sake; that is, fully and freely, and from their hearts; and so as to forget the offences, and not to upbraid them with them hereafter; yea, they should forgive them before they repent, and without asking for it, and that for Christ's sake, and because they are members of his: the Complutensian edition reads, "even as Christ hath forgiven us": the Arabic version also reads us, and so some copies: the words may be rendered, "giving freely to one another, even as God in Christ has given freely to you"; saints should give freely to one another, for outward support, where it is needful; and should impart spiritual gifts and experience for inward comfort, where it is wanted, and as they have ability; and that from this consideration, that all they have, whether in temporals or spirituals, is freely given by God in Christ, and for his sake; with whom he freely gives them all things; in whom he has given them grace, and blessed them with all spiritual blessings; as peace, pardon, righteousness, and eternal life."

Matthew Henry:
"Tender-hearted; that is, merciful, and having tender sense of the distresses and sufferings of others, so as to be quickly moved to compassion and pity. Forgiving one another. Occasions of difference will happen among Christ’s disciples; and therefore they must be placable, and ready to forgive, therein resembling God himself, who for Christ’s sake hath forgiven them, and that more than they can forgive one another. Note, With God there is forgiveness; and he forgives sin for the sake of Jesus Christ, and on account of that atonement which he has made to divine justice. Note again, Those who are forgiven of God should be of a forgiving spirit, and should forgive even as God forgives, sincerely and heartily, readily and cheerfully, universally and for ever, upon the sinner’s sincere repentance, as remembering that they pray, Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."

This Is It

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:1-3

This week begins my 9th year homeschooling. Well, technically 13th, but we won't get technical.

A few things are happening to make this year particularly challenging. It also feels extremely special. There is a dynamic surrounding this time that I recognize, but haven't fully grasped. Likely, there are several dynamics and they are all circling my fuzzy brain just close enough to notice, but heavy enough to keep me searching.

At any rate, I find myself looking to the Lord more and more for the guidance and wisdom I need this year. I see how He has worked in the past to bring me to this place. I see how He is building on the work He has begun in our family. I see that it was a preparation for what lies ahead. 

I can't help but feel a very heavy burden on me each morning as I rise, considering all the tasks and responsibilities before me. Yet, He is here. You are here, Lord. Your word is alive and speaking of promise, comfort, strength and hope. You lovingly call out the truth that it is for this reason that I have been called by You.

The work You have been doing in me since the moment I met You, now is the time to see the fruit. I know I have much more to learn. I know I need so much more from You. But, in a little house, in a little town, in a not-so-little family, I see You pushing me forward into the life You have prepared for me. This is one of those moments, (and You know I've had them before) where I find myself standing at a huge precipice, overlooking amazing blessings and challenges before me. There is more awaiting me than I can fully embrace, and I cannot move forward without You there beside me. Yet, I am filled with such joy as I consider what You are doing in our lives and all that lies before us. Thank You, Lord. Thank You for the abundance of Your love for me. I am in awe over the work You do in my life.

So, This Is It.

What Has Been Done pushes The Work At Hand forward to embrace All That Awaits.

Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use They folds prepare:

Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Thou has bought us,
Thine we are;
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Thou has bought us,
Thine we are.

We are Thine-do Thou befriend us,
Be the Guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us,
Seek us when we go astray:

Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray;
Blessed Jesus, Blesses Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray.

Thou has promised to receive us,
Poor and sinful tho we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us,
Grace to cleanse and pow'r to free:

Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee;
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee.

Early let us seek They favor,
Early let us do Thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior,
With Thy love our bosoms fill:

Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still;
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still.

(Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us - William Bradbury, 1816-1868)