Keeping A Tender Heart

I was talking with a Sister in the Lord today at work. She said she was planning to visit a church where a mutual friend of ours is now leading worship. I asked about the church she's been going to and she said, "Chip, I don't have a church anymore". I asked her what happened and she told me the old familiar story of the church split, the True Hearted vs. the My-Way-Or-The-Highway types. And as she shared her story she was obviously hurting and near tears.

My immediate thought was this: life is all about keeping a tender heart before the Lord.

I've been there - as have so many of my friends. You invest a big part of your self in a fellowship, a church, a pastor's vision, whatever - and it blows up in your face. You stumble away wounded when you felt like you were where God wanted you to be, doing what God wanted you to do. And now you find yourself struggling to forgive "those people" and struggling to trust God.

But life is all about keeping a tender heart before the Lord.

I have a friend that I haven't seen for a long time. When I first met him he was so in love with Jesus. He had a pure, energetic heart to serve God. The last time I saw him he was deeply involved in a ministry that I think eventually chewed him up and spit him out. Now I hear that he's changed, that maybe he has become bitter.

Life is all about keeping a tender heart before the Lord.

I work in nursing homes and every now and then I'll meet someone who is well over ninety and who is just effusive and bubbling over in their love for the Lord. Without exception they've had their share of troubles. But after all their years they still walk closely with the Lord and love Him with all their hearts.

Somehow they've kept their hearts tender before the Lord.

Even just the busyness of life, raising children and going to work day after day, can get you in a place where you just don't spend any time alone with God. Your heart grows cold. You still love the Lord, but in a letters-twice-a-year kind of way.

Life is all about keeping a tender heart before the Lord.

Others have disappointed you and maybe you're crushed by the ways you've disappointed others.

But stay true. Stay tender-hearted. Take advantage of every stray moment to talk to your Father who loves you, to spend some time in His presence.

Anyway, that's what I've been thinking all day since my friend shared her church hurt with me.

No matter what happens... I'm determined to stay tender and to stay close to the Lord until I take my last breath.