Relationships can be messy. And hard. And painful. If we ever needed proof of this, we only need to look back over this past year of 2020.
Relationships of every sort have been tried, strained, or strengthened with the challenges being varied and plenteous. At times, our hearts may feel like they have just had enough.
As a wife, mom, Mimi, and friend, I sat thinking on this recently. Our hearts matter to Jesus. He tends to them with the tenderest of attention as He recognizes our hearts are fragile.
When Jesus was presented at the Temple, Simeon, a devout and righteous man, had a few words for the new parents. To Mary, the baby’s mother, he says:
““This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”
(Luke 2:34-35, NLT)
Simeon prophesied that Mary would experience great pain at seeing her son rejected by those He loved and came to save, and then as He died an excruciating death on the Cross.
The day we become a mom, our hearts are never our own again. They are forever linked to the joys and pains, the highs and lows, the successes and failures of the little one we birthed.
At the Cross, Jesus speaks remarkable words to the disciple He loved (John) concerning His own mother:
“When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:26-27, NLT)
Jesus knew the tender heart of His mom, and recognized it would need care to heal. And John took on the responsibility handed to him.
Jesus knows our hearts. He strengthens them, encourages them, heals them, and helps them to live again. He fills them with love, joy, and hope for the days yet to come.
He knows all about a mother’s heart for it is the same heart He has towards each one of us!
“Can a mother forget her nursing child?
Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?
But even if that were possible,
I would not forget you!“
(Isaiah 49:15, NLT)
Today I am joining …
Joanne,
I needed this today. I head into Thanksgiving with a mom’s hurting heart. My two “children” will not be joining us and it’s not due to a lack of invitation and reaching out. My heart is fragile and it does me good to know that Jesus cares and understands and is looking out for me. Thank you.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Our Lord surely knows and sees your fragile heart, Bev. Praying tonight that He moves on their hearts as He brings healing to yours. xo
Joanne, this is such a beautiful post. And this: “Jesus knew the tender heart of His mom, and recognized it would need care to heal. And John took on the responsibility handed to him.” I never thought about Jesus watching over the tenderness of His mom’s heart when He asked John to take her into his home. I always stopped at Him wanting to make sure her physical needs to be met. Thank you for the reminder that Jesus sees our fragile hearts and treats them tenderly. I need that visual as we walk through some challenges with one of our boys.
Jeanne, I am sure Jesus was referring to Mary’s physical needs but knowing how He longs for us to be whole, I am sure He was looking after her heart too. I will be praying for you and for your son. May God be with you, in the midst of the challenges, and bring all of you through whole in Him.
Thank you for this sweet reminder Joanne. God knows us individually and loves us completely. He truly is watching over our tender hearts.