Tenderness

I know I said I was banning non-fiction for a time... but I can't help myself. I think I'm addicted!

Here is an excerpt I read yesterday from Brennan Manning's Abba's Child:

Tenderness awakens within the security of knowing we are thoroughly and sincerely liked by someone. The mere presence of that special someone in a crowded room brings an inward sigh of relief and a strong sense of feeling safe. The experience of a warm, caring, affective presence banishes our fears. The defense mechanisms of the impostor-- sarcasm, name-dropping, self-righteousness, the need to impress others-- fall away. We become more open, real, vulnerable, and affectionate. We grow tender.

Years ago, I related a story about a priest from Detroit named Edward Farrell who went on his two-week summer vacation to Ireland. His one living uncle was about to celebrate his eightieth birthday. On the great day, the priest and his uncle got up before dawn and dressed in silence. They took a walk along the shores of Lake Killarney and stopped to watch the sunrise. Standing side by side with not a word exchanged and starting straight at the rising sun. Suddenly the uncle turned and went skipping down the road. He was radiant, beaming, smiling from ear to ear.

His nephew said, "Uncle Seamus, you really look happy."

"I am, lad."

"Want to tell me why?"

His eighty-year-old uncle replied, "Yes, you see, me Abba is very fond of me."

How would you respond if I asked you this question: "Do you honestly believe God likes you, not just loves you because theologically God has to love you?" If you could answer with gut-level honesty, "Oh yes, my Abba is very fond of me," you would experience a serene compassion for yourself that approximates the meaning of tenderness.

"Can a woman forget her nursing child, and have no compassion [tenderness] on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you" (Isaiah 49:15).

Scripture suggests that the essence of the divine nature is compassion and that the heart of God is defined by tenderness. "By the tender mercy [compassion] of our God who from on high will bring the rising sun to visit us, to give light to those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:78-79) Richard Foster wrote, "His heart is the most sensitive and tender of all. No act goes unnoticed, no matter how insignificant or small. A cup of cold water is enough to put tears in the eyes of God. Like the proud mother who is thrilled to receive a bouquet of wilted dandelions from her child, so God celebrates our feeble expressions of gratitude."

I do believe God likes me. And it blows me away. I mean, I am amazed a lot of times that people like me, so the concept of God, who knows every part of me, all my selfish attitudes and critical thinking... liking me... being fond of me... It's just unfathomable. I can't tell you how thankful and just in awe of that I am.

So how about you? Do you feel especially liked by your Father? Do you feel open and vulnerable... tender around Him and the rest of His kids?