Hidden hurts and the tenderness of our God

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I tripped.
You can’t make this stuff up…
About an hour ago I was doing bedtime solo with the kids and tripped over a potty seat tucked behind the rug. My toes caught under the plastic edging and I face-planted onto the carpet.

Slowly, I moved my body to look in the mirror, and to my surprise, there were no abrasions.

I woke up in the morning and felt the pain in my knee, my neck, and my head. I looked in the mirror and again and saw, no marks!!

Sometimes the pain we have is not visible to others. We know the hurt but people can’t see it. Sometimes even the scars we carry, can’t be seen on the outside.

Our God is tender with us. Notice the words the Psalmist uses when speaking of the contentment he finds in God.

But I have calmed and quieted myself,    
I am like a weaned child with its mother;    
like a weaned child I am content.
— Psalm 131:2

Like a mother tenderly holding a child who needs only her presence, God cradles us, knowing our wounds. These pains may be invisible to others, but God sees. God sees. God knows. God understands.

Beloveds, remember to be exceedingly gentle with yourself. Be exceedingly gentle with others. There may be no marks, but there are still aches and hurts.