An Old Heart, But Tender

As I recited my memory verses this morning my eyes filled; tears slipped down my cheeks. The promise offered is rich and precious, no doubt, but a reservoir of pain that seems ever-present these days was being tapped, a well that has been filled with sorrow several times over. Tenderness of heart is still mine as I remember my grief and the grief of so many.

And tears come.

21 This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. 22 Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. 24 "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!" 25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. 26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord. 27 It is good for a man to bear The yoke in his youth. Lamentations 3.21-27 NKJ

Maybe it's just me, or maybe it's a story common to all hearts that have been touched by multiple years of living here on this planet; grief -- tasted grief -- is always near at hand. I don't have to reach far to find remembrances of sorrow-filled situations. Prayer ushers forth at every recollection of unresolved circumstance. For those who have walked the valley and now must climb once again, I seek His grace for their strength to be renewed.

When every believer is family, there are innumerable opportunities for weeping and travailing. Loss, pain, and grief touch us all. And we weep together, bear the burden together. But then...

This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
"The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him."
The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.
It is good that one should wait and hope quietly For the salvation of the Lord.
It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth.

There are innumerable causes to rejoice in this great family as well. Joy comes in the morning, He provides grace in abundance. We sing a new song that the world longs to hear -- for great is the Lord our God whose faithfulness keeps us to the end!

And what a glorious end it will be!