Be Tenderhearted
Sometimes I am all business.
I put process ahead of persons,
process ahead of poetry,
the poetry of God’s whispers.
Sometimes I am too concerned
about the process to see
the point of the pin
that pricks at pained heartstrings.
Sometimes I’m caught in calendar,
all deadlines ahead of doorways
that lead to peace with patience,
that open to compassion with courage.
Sometimes God rises to reveal
a hardened heart that hears,
“Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry,
and plow through the process!”
Sometimes when I stop to see
the mangled mess I’ve made
with focus on the failures,
God stops my steps.
He points to the positives;
He gathers up the good
And puts the process behind,
Trading it for tenderheartedness.
He helps me humbly see
the covenant, the cross on Calvary,
the limitless love of letting
God’s grace return to the gathering.
Return it to the wondrous whispers
that only tenderness and transparency
can reveal as we enter the center
of God’s tender heart – and hear.
Hear His poetry, hold His hand,
sing His songs and shout “Shalom!”
Take His tender heart that tugs
at your heartstrings. Take it home.
Be Tenderhearted.
Growing in God’s Grace, Jan Beekman, poet
Comments on: "Be Tenderhearted" (16)
Absolutely beautiful, Jan.
THANK YOU, LESLEY. I appreciate your affirmation. Did you catch all the alliterations? I enjoyed finding them in my head and heart!! <3
A great use of alliteration throughout. I particularly like, ‘Sing his songs and shout Shalom!’
🙌🎶💞
Thank you! Let’s do that often!!
🎶Shalom🎶 🙌
this is beautiful Jan! 🙂
Thank you, Wendi. Do you ever get hungvup on process and expediency like I do!
🙂 i have my days. 🙂
Yup, me too. But, fewer now than in my younger years. Hopefully, I’m learning!
🙂 I think I am learning too…..
“Tis one of the keys to a happy life: “bee” a life-long learner!!
You are so right!
Amen……..
Thank you. Shalom!! <3
Jan, thank you for reminding us to slow down and take God’s Word to heart. During these challenging times, we need to be more thoughtful in our actions and prayers. God’s peace!
With all my volunteer opportunities being shut down right now, I have no choice but to slow down. I guess that ain’t all bad, huh? God’s peace to you, too. <3